Monoclonal Antibodies can prevent hospitalization or death in people infected with COVID19. It is important to know if you would benefit for antibody treatment, and if you qualify to seek treatment as soon as possible.
What are monoclonal antibodies?
COVID Monoclonal antibodies are antibodies similar to those which you body would naturally produce in response to a COVID-19 infection. They are mass produced in a laboratory. Once infused they bind the spike protein of the virus to “neutralize” the virus. Are they FDA approved? All antibodies are currently approved under FDA Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). There is substantial evidence to show they are safe and effective in treating COVID-19 but not yet enough to receive full authorization status.
What are the names of the antibodies?
The names of the antibodies are complicated, so they are often referred to by their manufacturer. The two common antibodies in the United States are combination products. Bamlanivimab/Estevimab is made by Lilly and Casirivimab/Imdevimab is made by Regeneron.
Are they effective?
Data suggests that when given to high-risk patients with COVID-19, antibody administration will result in a 50-70% relative reduction in hospitalization or death. A better way to look at this data is a “number needed to treat.” In the studied population of the pivotal Regeneron trial 1 hospitalization or death was prevented for every 21 patients treated with antibody.
Are they safe?
Serious infusion reactions can occur in approximately 1% of patients receiving monoclonal antibodies. For this reason patients must be monitored closely during the infusion and for an hour after the infusion and be provided prompt treatment in case of a reaction.
Who will benefit from antibodies?
Antibodies are only effective if given early in the course of an infection, generally within 7 days after symptoms have started. They are not effective if someone has a new oxygen requirement or if symptoms are so severe that they require hospitalization. Because antibody supplies are limited and there is a limited capacity to perform the infusions, many states have criteria to limit use only to patients who are most likely to benefit- which includes high risk patients diagnosed early in the course of treatment. Utah uses an evidence-based calculator to determine who is most likely to benefit. Patients can see if they qualify by going to the website https://coronavirus.utah.gov/noveltherapeutics.
Will antibodies help people who have been vaccinated?
It is not known if antibodies are effective in vaccinated patients. Vaccinated patients already have very low risk of hospitalization. Since the major antibody trials were performed before vaccines became widely available it isn’t known if the antibodies provide additional benefit to the vaccination. Vaccinated patients who are most likely to benefit are those who have a compromised immune system and therefore likely did not develop a good immune response to vaccination.
What do they cost?
The cost of the medication is paid by the federal government. Your insurance may be charged for the administration. Some insurance companies cover 100% of COVID related testing and treatment, whereas others will have a copay or coinsurance. A federal fund will cover people without insurance.
What do they cost?
You will need an order from a healthcare provider to receive monoclonal antibodies. This is can usually be coordinated through your primary care provider. In Utah, the website https://coronavirus.utah.gov/noveltherapeutics has a directory of all the centers who can infuse monoclonal antibodies.
