Use of Neutralizing Monoclonal Antibodies and Its Outcome Measures in COVID-19 Patients

Neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) can stimulate protective immunity. Hence their rapid identification and characterization are incorporated into clinical practice to provide effective treatment and prophylaxis during the COVID-19 pandemic. Previously, mAbs have been effectively used in several other viral infections, including Ebola, influenza, HIV, RSV, Zika virus, and MERS-CoV. Currently, the utilization of mAbs appears to have favorable clinical outcomes in patients with mild-moderate SARS-CoV-2 infection, particularly individuals at high risk of hospitalization and progression to severe COVID-19. However, most of the interim results on anti-SARS-CoV-2 mAbs are based on ongoing clinical trial data; thereby, several questions revolve around this novel therapy, including its long-term implication, application, and feasibility. Although, the use of neutralizing mAbs may assist in alleviating the critical burden on healthcare settings and minimizing hospital stay due to severe progression of the COVID-19 symptoms especially among those with poor immune responses to vaccination, elderly, and/or vaccine-refractory individuals. Nonetheless, there is a broader need to explore these novel therapies for their effective use in clinical practice and to improve patient-related outcomes.