April 3, 2023

Can Monoclonal Antibodies Reduce Your Risk of Getting COVID-19?

Formerly used as a treatment, they’re not as effective against current strains of COVID-19

Monoclonal Antibodies attacking coronavirus

Our immune system is a pretty powerful tool capable of fighting off everyday infections. But sometimes, when faced with more severe illnesses like cancer, our immune system could use an additional boost. One such boost comes in the form of lab-made monoclonal antibodies.

Advertisement

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy

Infections disease specialist Tricia Bravo, MD, breaks down this very scientific-sounding term and explains how monoclonal antibodies were used earlier in the pandemic to prevent severe COVID-19 infections in people who were at higher risk for serious illness.

What are monoclonal antibodies?

When you’re exposed to an infection, your body makes specific proteins called antibodies that are designed to fight off that infection. When you no longer have that infection, your body continues to produce some of those antibodies in case the infection returns.

“Antibodies are basically proteins that your body makes to fight a specific infection,” explains Dr. Bravo.

Monoclonal antibodies are lab-made antibodies that mimic what your natural antibodies are able to do, but they tend to work faster with more immediate results. Monoclonal antibodies are most often used as a form of targeted therapy for specific kinds of cancer, but they’ve also been used throughout the pandemic to help fight off COVID-19.

“It’s very specific ammunition to fight particular infectious organisms,” Dr. Bravo adds.

How are monoclonal antibodies used to treat COVID-19?

Neutralizing monoclonal antibodies are no longer used to treat COVID-19 in the U.S. because they’re not as effective against currently circulating omicron subvariants.

Currently in the U.S., the main treatment options that target COVID-19 directly are these antiviral medications:

Advertisement

These are available for people with mild to moderate COVID-19 infection who are at high risk for progressing to severe infection. Remdesivir is also a recommended treatment strategy in conjunction with steroids for certain people who are hospitalized with severe illness.

Earlier in the pandemic, monoclonal antibodies like Evusheld™ (tixagevimab and cilgavimab) were once used as a preventive measure against COVID-19. These neutralizing monoclonal antibodies have a different mechanism of action from antivirals.

“That means neutralizing monoclonal antibodies work differently from antiviral medications by attaching to the spike protein on the surface of the COVID-19 virus and preventing it from infecting your cells,” explains Dr. Bravo. “Antiviral medications, on the other hand, stop the virus from making copies of itself and reduces the spread of infection.”

Now, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has withdrawn emergency use authorization for monoclonal antibodies that have been previously used as treatment.

The monoclonal antibodies that are no longer authorized in the U.S. (but may be authorized in other areas outside of the U.S.) include:

Other monoclonal antibodies, like Actemra® (tocilizumab), are only used as treatment in the U.S. for people who are hospitalized with severe COVID-19 infection who meet the following criteria:

This medication doesn’t target the coronavirus directly, but it’s an anti-inflammatory that stops your immune system from becoming overreactive to the virus. This medication has also been used to treat other inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.

Advertisement

The recommendations for COVID-19 treatments and the use of monoclonal antibodies changes often to meet the demand of up-and-coming variants. For the most up-to-date information, the FDA offers a list of treatments that have been given emergency use authorization (EUA) for treating COVID-19. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) continues to update its guidelines with new effective treatments, alongside a list of old treatments that have become ineffective. And for people outside of the U.S., the World Health Organization (WHO) offers its own set of guidelines on which treatments are recommended.

How are monoclonal antibodies given?

Monoclonal antibodies are only given through an IV or as a subcutaneous injection (a shot). That means, in order to receive them, you need to be seen in a medical setting, which limits the overall availability of the treatment.

When used as a treatment for COVID-19, Actemra is given through a single 60-minute IV infusion.

Monoclonal antibodies vs. vaccines

Don’t think of monoclonal antibodies as an alternative to the COVID-19 vaccine. Dr. Bravo stresses that getting vaccinated is still your body’s single best protection against contracting severe COVID-19. That’s true even if you’re immunocompromised.

“I can’t emphasize enough the importance of vaccines,” she says. “They offer a much better kind of protection and a much more lasting protection than you can get with monoclonal antibodies.”

Related Articles

Notes taped to window of possible new year's resolutions with hand in foreground holding marker.
December 1, 2023
How To Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions

Pick specific, measurable goals, but also be open to changing them if need be

person holding a thermometer with stress thought bubbles above head
December 1, 2023
Yes, There Is Such a Thing as Stress Sickness

From nausea, weight gain and eczema, stress can affect your immune system in many ways

bowl of soy-based cubes with hand
November 30, 2023
Can Soy Cause Breast Cancer?

Research consistently shows that soy-based foods do not increase cancer risk

person scratching neck that has eczema
November 29, 2023
How Lifestyle Changes and Self-Care Can Improve Your Atopic Dermatitis

Changing your wardrobe or environment won’t eliminate eczema, but it can help reduce flares

person stressing, with clock and books
November 29, 2023
6 Ways To Feel Less Anxious in the Mornings

Breathwork, sleep mediatation and avoiding screens can help fight back morning anxiety

covid toe
November 28, 2023
Are COVID Toes and Rashes Common Symptoms of the Coronavirus?

Chilblain-like skin lesions and rashes probably aren’t COVID related

magnesium pills out of container spelling out MG
November 28, 2023
Magnesium for Anxiety: Does It Help?

This supplement may help with regulating cortisol levels, which may help with stress

woman in her forties, using an inhaler
November 28, 2023
Why Sex Hormones Can Help (or Hurt) Your Asthma

Developmental changes like puberty and menopause can impact symptom severity

Trending Topics

group of hands holding different beverages
November 14, 2023
10 Myths About Drinking Alcohol You Should Stop Repeating

Coffee won’t cure a hangover and you definitely shouldn’t mix your cocktail with an energy drink

Person applies moisturizer as part of their skin care routine after a shower.
November 10, 2023
Korean Skin Care Routines: What You Need To Know

Focus on the philosophy — replenishing and respecting your skin — not necessarily the steps

glass of cherry juice with cherries on table
November 8, 2023
Sleepy Girl Mocktail: What’s in It and Does It Really Make You Sleep Better?

This social media sleep hack with tart cherry juice and magnesium could be worth a try

Ad