Monoclonal Antibody Treatment for COVID-19: Effectiveness, Cost, and More

Lab-grown antibodies can help the immune system fight the coronavirus, but they’re no substitute for COVID-19 vaccination.

A monoclonal antibody is a laboratory-produced protein that functions like the antibodies made by the immune system in response to infection. Craig F. Walker/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

As COVID-19 cases continue to surge throughout the United States, demand for monoclonal antibody treatments is spiking, especially in areas of the country with low vaccination rates.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), this experimental treatment uses “laboratory-made proteins that mimic the immune system’s ability to fight off harmful antigens such as viruses” like SARS-CoV-2.

It’s especially useful for people with weakened immune systems who may not generate a robust response to the COVID-19 vaccines, and for others at high risk of severe illness.

While monoclonal antibodies can start to clear the coronavirus within hours of being infused intravenously (IV) into the body, this treatment may not work for everyone.

That’s why experts recommend that people get fully vaccinated against COVID-19, which is known to prevent severe illness and hospitalization due to the disease.

Source: healthline