Quantitation
of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) in human
serum could ensure that patients have adequate levels of mAbs for
effective treatment. This research describes the use of affinity,
glass-fiber membranes in a 96-well-plate format for rapid (<5 min)
quantitation of the therapeutic mAb trastuzumab and a mAb against
the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Adsorption of a poly(acrylic acid)-containing
film in membrane pores and activation of the −COOH groups in
the film enable covalent-linking of affinity peptides or proteins
to the membrane. Passage of mAb-containing serum through the affinity
membrane results in mAb capture within 1 min. Subsequent rinsing,
binding of a secondary antibody conjugated to a fluorophore, and a
second rinse yield mAb-concentration-dependent fluorescence intensities
in the wells. Calibration curves established from analyses on different
days have low variability and allow determination of mAb levels in
separately prepared samples with an average error <10%, although
errors in single-replicate measurements may reach 40%. The assays
can occur in diluted serum with physiologically relevant mAb concentrations,
as well as in undiluted serum. Thus, the combination of 96-well plates
containing affinity membranes, a microplate reader, and a simple vacuum
manifold affords convenient mAb quantitation in <5 min.