By: Dr. Keith Boell, Geisinger’s chief quality officer for population initiatives

The use of monoclonal antibodies in healthcare isn’t new. In fact, doctors
have been using them for decades in the treatment of certain illnesses, such
as cancer.

Now, they’re being used to treat people infected with COVID-19 who are at a
high risk of severe illness — and early results are promising.

What are monoclonal antibodies?

Our immune systems naturally create millions of proteins, called antibodies.
These antibodies search for and attach themselves to foreign cells (or
antigens) and help the immune system fight off harmful antigens, like viruses.
Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-made proteins that mimic our immune
system's ability to fight off antigens, like the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes
COVID-19.

These one-time antibody treatments are being administered via intravenous
infusion to help treat COVID-19.

What makes monoclonal antibodies unique is that they’re one of the few new
treatment options available for people before they’re sick enough to require
hospitalization.

Are monoclonal antibodies effective against COVID-19?

Like other treatments or emergency therapies that have been used during the
coronavirus pandemic, monoclonal antibodies have received emergency use
authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

This means that while the treatment is still considered experimental, it’s been
made available in a limited capacity while research continues.

Currently, monoclonal antibody treatments from pharmaceutical companies
Regeneron and Eli Lilly are approved for use. And both have reported
promising results.

The results of Eli Lilly’s final-stage trial showed that their treatment was
effective in those with a high risk of severe illness from COVID-19, reducing
the risk of hospitalization.

Regeneron and Eli Lilly have both reported that their antibody treatments help
prevent hospitalizations from COVID-19.

So far, we’re seeing that monoclonal antibodies can help limit the number of
people who require hospitalization. And that relieves strain on hospitals and
healthcare workers.

Preliminary research also suggests that monoclonal antibodies appear to be
effective against COVID-19 variants, too.

Who can get the monoclonal antibody treatment?

Supplies are limited right now, so monoclonal antibodies are being
administered to those who have the greatest chance of benefiting from the
treatment.

This treatment is being used for non-hospitalized patients in the early stages
of COVID-19 infection. And there’s specific criteria to be eligible for treatment.
These criteria include being 65 and older and/or being at high risk of severe
illness (e.g., having a chronic medical condition like diabetes, chronic kidney
disease or COPD). The treatment must also be administered within 10 days of
a COVID-19 diagnosis and are only for those with moderate to severe
symptoms.

At Geisinger, we’re evaluating patients who test positive for COVID-19 to see
if they are eligible to receive monoclonal antibodies and contacting them
based on the amount of supply we have. Doctors may also refer patients for
treatment if they test positive for COVID-19 outside of Geisinger and meet the
criteria as defined by the emergency use authorization.

Are there any side effects?

With any experimental treatment or therapy, it’s understandable to be
concerned about potential side effects. During clinical trials of monoclonal
antibodies, few side effects were reported.
The most common side effects were nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, headache,
skin irritation and vomiting.

What’s next?

While monoclonal antibodies are a potential tool to prevent COVID-19
hospitalizations and reduce the strain on healthcare organizations, supplies
are extremely limited right now.

It’s important that everyone continue to take precautions, like masking,
physical distancing and handwashing, to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
We’re looking forward to when monoclonal antibody treatments are more
readily available so they can be offered to everyone who can benefit from
them.