As the COVID-19 pandemic rages on, scientists continue to explore new treatments and prevention methods to curb the spread of the virus. Recently, a new study has found that a combination of two monoclonal antibodies can provide strong protection to high-risk individuals with early COVID-19 symptoms. The findings of the trial have the potential to revolutionize the way we approach COVID-19 treatment for those most vulnerable, providing a much-needed light at the end of the tunnel for those still struggling to avoid infection. In this article, we take a closer look at the study’s findings and what they could mean for the future of pandemic management.
A Phase 2/3 clinical trial has found that a novel COVID-19 therapy combining two antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus resulted in strong protection for high-risk individuals with early such symptoms from hospitalization and death. The research, jointly led by Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian, enrolled over 800 non-hospitalized covid patients at a high risk of disease progression in six countries. The treatment, administered randomly to a group with amubarvimab and romlusevimab, had only a 2.3 percent hospitalization and/or death progression rate compared to a 10.7 percent rate in the placebo group. ACTIV-2 Study of Outpatient Monoclonal Antibodies and Other Therapies, the clinical trial experiment, was also led by UCSD, UCLA Geffen School of Medicine, and the Lundquist Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.
This monoclonal antibody treatment, jointly created by Tsinghua University, Brii Biosciences both located in China as well as the Third People’s Hospital of Shenzhen, was authorized by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) of China in 2021, and hundreds of Chinese hospitals used it against early Omicron variants. However, the treatment was never approved for use in the United States and may have reduced efficacy against currently circulating variants. Last month, Brii Biosciences announced the discontinuation of the production of the treatment, and it remains to be seen what implications this will have on the availability and accessibility of the therapy.
Although both the treatment and placebo groups were similar in size, with 397 participants and 410 participants, respectively, the placebo group had 44 out of the 53 hospitalizations and/or deaths, while the treatment group had nine. This marks a 79% reduction in risk for the treatment group. The trial scientists also found that patients who were six to 10 days into their Covid symptoms responded similarly to those who had started the treatment earlier. The safety analysis revealed that the incidence of treatment-related side effects in the treatment group was far lower than in the placebo group, implying that the treatment was safe to use.
Dr. Teresa Evering, study co-first author, an assistant professor of medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine, and infectious disease specialist at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, described the trial as a randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial, which is the “gold standard,” she said. This research was conducted as a large international collaboration in the middle of a global pandemic and demonstrated strong efficacy and safety for the antibody treatment.
Dr. Evering was honored to participate in the study, which showed that a monoclonal antibody treatment could reduce hospitalizations and deaths among individuals who have mild to moderate COVID-19 but are at a high risk of clinical progression before the emergence of Omicron Variants.
In conclusion, the latest trial offers a beacon of hope for high-risk individuals who get infected with COVID-19. The combination of two antibodies, Casirivimab and Imdevimab, offers a potent shield against the virus, especially in the early stages of the disease. With more research, this treatment can prove to be a vital tool in reducing the severity of COVID-19 and ultimately saving lives. It is, however, essential to remember that following preventive measures such as social distancing, wearing masks, and getting vaccinated is still the most effective way to fight the ongoing pandemic.
