“In the early days of COVID, about 25% of hospitalized patients died of their illness, and it was imperative to find something that worked,” said co-author Thomas Holland, MD, an infectious disease specialist and is an associate professor. of medicine at Duke.
“Now, with better therapies, in addition to better population immunity from vaccinations and previous infections, that number has dropped. We still have a lot of work to do and things to do. Trials like this help show us what complementary therapies can benefit our patients.”
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Data on another successful approach, using the immunomodulatory baricitinib in combination with the antiviral remdesivir, were also recently reported in Respiratory medicine Lancet. Lead author Cameron Wolfe, MD is an infectious disease specialist and an associate professor of medicine at Duke.
“The big picture is, monoclonal antibodies are a full-spectrum treatment,” says Wolfe. “They have a role in the prevention and treatment of early illness and hospitalization for respiratory failure. We hope this could be another drug for hospital use for COVID patients.”
Treatment of monoclonal antibodies
In the tixagevimab/cilgavimab study, the phase 3 placebo-controlled trial included 1,455 patients and took place at 81 sites on four continents. Duke enrolled 147 patients, making it the site with the highest number of patients.
Patients were randomized and received tixagevimab/cilgavimab or placebo, in addition to remdesivir and other standard care.
By day 90, 87% of those in the tixagevimab/cilgavimab group achieved sustained recovery and 84% of the participants in the placebo group. Mortality was nearly 4% lower in the tixagevimab/cilgavimab group.
“One in three patients who could die if untreated still survive receiving it,” says co-author Adit Ginde, MD, MPH, professor of emergency medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and emergency department physician. monoclonal antibodies. at the University of Colorado UCHealth Hospital.
“It’s a remarkable signal of benefit and shows that this and other similar treatments can save the lives of patients with severe COVID-19.”
Source: Newswise
