Monoclonal Antibodies, Cancer, & COVID-19
- The vaccine, though some are finding it hard to get right now, is the best strategy to prevent infection with COVID-19.
- If you are unable to get the vaccine, there may be a new option using a monoclonal antibody although the data has not been published.
- All people with cancer should discuss with their doctors what is the right course of action for them.
Read More“The monoclonal antibody therapies are approved for patients with significant risk factors such as underlying malignancy, and certainly cancer patients who have COVID-19 infection should consider monoclonal antibody treatment. As of now, these are only approved for patients with mild COVID who are not hospitalized.” Dr. Catherine Diefenbach
How Do Monoclonal Antibodies Work?
This class of drugs is not new and is used to treat many diseases from rheumatoid arthritis to cancer. In this specific case the monoclonal antibody is designed to target and attack one of the proteins (the spike protein) on the surface of the virus responsible for COVID-19 infections. By binding to this protein, the monoclonal antibodies can block the virus from entering the cell. Basically, the drug works to seek out the virus and keep it from getting in the cells of your body.
“The use of COVID specific antibodies for high risk patients, who are COVID positive, is a major step forward.” Dr. Sager
This drug has previously shown promise in treating high risk patients who are COVID-19 positive before they develop severe symptoms and require hospitalization. Dr. Sagar Lonial, Chief Medical Officer of the Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University tells SurvivorNet that “the use of COVID specific antibodies for high risk patients who are COVID positive is a major step forward.” Dr. Diefenbach agrees that monoclonal antibody therapy should be considered in high risk patients, such as those with cancer, who are known COVID positive to help prevent severe symptoms. However, to better understand if these drugs can be used to prevent COVID doctors will need to see the published results. If you are a cancer patient or are at high risk of complications from COVID-19 you should discuss with your doctor what is the best strategy for you to reduce your risk of getting the virus.
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