Effectiveness and safety of monoclonal antibodies for SARS-CoV-2: retrospective analysis of patients treated in the Varese Hospital

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Monoclonal antibodies (mAb) are a promising treatment for patients with COVID-19. The primary objective of this analysis was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of mAb, using real-world data relating to patients belonging to the HUB COVID of the Varese Hospital. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was carried out on patients treated with mAb from April 2021 to January 31, 2022. Information was collected on disease status, immediate and late adverse drug reactions (ADRs), and outcome at 10 and 30 days after mAb administration. Results: Three hundred twenty-eight patients (M/F 191/137;median age 59.3 yrs) were treated 176 with bamlanivimab/etesevimab, 117 with casirivimab/imdevimab, 35 with sotrovimab. One hundred eight (32.9%) patients were not fully vaccinated and 10 (3%) vaccinated with only 2 doses more than 120 days. Eighty (24.4%) were affected by cardiovascular disease, 73 (22.2%) immunodeficiency, 69 (21%) BMI>=30, 52 (15.8%) diabetes, 35 (10.7%) chronic lung disease and 7 (2.1%) end-stage renal failure. Severe ADRs did not occur. The median time between treatment and symptom resolution was 4 days. Among the 190 outpatients, only 9 (4.7%) needed hospitalization for COVID pneumonia, with a favorable outcome. In addition, 89.8% of hospitalized patients (60 with pneumonia and negative serology, 78 hospitalized not for COVID pneumonia) had symptom resolution without disease progression. Conclusions: Our study confirms the effectiveness and safety of the early treatment with mAb for COVID-19 to reduce the risk of disease progression.