Scientists share insights into the use of monoclonal antibody therapy for COVID-19

As evidence supports the use of monoclonal antibody treatment to reduce hospitalization and deaths from COVID-19, UPMC and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine physician share the knowledge of the health system the life-saving medicine.

In a report published today in the scientific journal Infectious diseases open forum, the UPMC / Pitt team shares how they quickly established the largest and most equitable distribution network for COVID-19 monoclonal antibody inclusion throughout Pennsylvania. The team today also reported initial results confirming the treatment reduced the likelihood of hospitalization and death in UPMC patients who received it.

“When administered shortly after an infection, this treatment can help some people fight the virus and keep them from progressing to serious illness and death,” said Ryan Bariola, MD, senior. associate professor in the Pitt Department of Infectious Diseases and director of UPMC Antimicrobial Community Hospital Stewardship efforts program (CHASE). “But managing these inclusions comes with supply challenges, so so many health care providers are choosing not to offer the treatment. UPMC has overcome these challenges, and we are committed to sharing our learning with other medical institutions, clinicians and the general public. “

Monoclonal – “mono” means “one” and “clonal” means “copy” – antibodies are a type of medicine that looks for the COVID-19 virus in a person’s body and preventing it from invading their cells and reproducing. Since late 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to three monoclonal antibody therapies – one from Regeneron and two from Eli Lilly – that are administered through a one-time IV infusion. This is the same type of emergency license granted for the COVID-19 vaccines given in the US

This treatment is very helpful when given early, especially within 10 days of infections in people at greatest risk of complications from COVID-19.

The U.S. supply of monoclonal antibodies is funded by taxpayers and provided free of charge to the institutions that administer it. In preparation for high patient demand, UPMC created a weighted lottery to ensure a fair distribution of its provision. However, demand has never been high enough to encourage the use of the lottery.

“This lower practice surprised us, and we are still debating why demand was lower than expected,” said co-author Donald M. Yealy, MD, UPMC chief medical officer and professor and chairman Department of Emergency Medicine Pitt. “It seemed to have to do with so few healthcare providers investing in the infrastructure, staffing and processes needed to deliver the drug. This created lower awareness among both patients and clinicians about the life-saving benefits of monoclonal antibodies. “

Initially, eligibility was limited to patients 65 years or older, or to those with a body mass index of at least 35 because those were the people identified by studies who were more likely to benefit. UPMC has since expanded its eligibility for younger people with certain medical conditions that put them at greater risk for COVID-19 complications, including children, according to the EUA.

To date, UPMC has treated more than 1,000 patients with monoclonal antibodies at 16 sites across the communities it serves in Pennsylvania and New York. It also provides home infusion services when needed. UPMC ensures that all correct infection prevention protocols are followed, and in particular prevents COVID-19 patients from mixing with other patients at the infusion centers.

“Monoclonal antibodies are an essential part of the COVID-19 treatment spectrum, closing the gap between protective measures – such as masks, social distance and vaccines – and the different treatments for COVID-19 patients in hospital,” said lead author Mark Schmidhofer, MD, professor of medicine at Pitt and medical director of the UPMC Coronary Intensive Care Unit. “It could be a life-saving option and it can keep people out of hospital if a ban fails.”

Patients and providers can find out more about monoclonal antibody treatment at UPMC by visiting upmc.com/AntibodyTreatment or calling 866-804-5251.