Study finds safe, effective use of neutralizing monoclonal antibodies in COVID-19 treatment

A team of researchers has confirmed that neutralizing monoclonal antibody (nMAb) therapies are associated with reduced risk of adverse outcomes of COVID-19 in high-risk populations. The cohort study included more than 167,000 nonhospitalized patients from health care systems based in California, Texas, and Utah, and at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

The study found that the use of nMAbs for treating nonhospitalized patients with COVID-19 was associated with decreased risk of emergency department visits, hospitalization, and death. This association was strongest among immunocompromised and unvaccinated patients. It was also stronger in patients infected with the Delta variant and weaker in patients with the Omicron BA.1 variant.

The researchers included Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic. Due to the large sample size, long study period, and inclusion of viral genomic data, this study is particularly notable and suggests that risk-targeted patient selection strategies may help optimize future nMAb therapy decisions.

Learn more in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).