Monoclonal Antibody Therapy success story: 84 yr Covid-19 patient in Haryana discharged post-treatment

Last updated on June 5th, 2021 at 05:38 am

Haryana’s 84 year old Covid-19 patient who was treated with monoclonal antibody therapy has been discharged on Wednesday. Mr. Mohabbat Singh was admitted in Medanta Hospital, Gurgaon where he was given the ‘antibody cocktail therapy’ which is said to reduce hospitalization chances in 70% of cases with mild to moderate symptoms.

On Tuesday Mr. Singh was administered a ‘cocktail’ of Casirivimab and Imdevimab as part of “single dose infusion based treatment” and was then kept under observation. The hospital spokesperson said that post observation he was sent back home on Wednesday. This is first monoclonal antibody therapy given to a Covid-19 patient in Delhi-NCR region. “The antibody combination of Casirivimab and Imdevimab, now available in India is a cutting-edge treatment that will provide protection to Covid-19 positive patients with mild or moderate symptoms before they deteriorate further or require hospitalisation,” the Medanta Hospital said. 

“This FDA approved therapy demonstrated good efficacy in Phase 1/2 and Phase 3 studies by reducing Covid-19 related hospitalization and death by 70 per cent. Approved by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), this single dose infusion-based treatment can be provided on an outpatient or on day care basis, and marks a dramatic shift in Covid-19 care in India,” it added.

Monoclonal antibodies are produced artificially in lab and are similar to antibody proteins produced by body in response to the infection. 

Hospital said in statement released, “Casirivimab and Imdevimab are monoclonal antibodies that are specifically directed against the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, designed to block the virus’ attachment and entry into human cells. Two distinct antibodies bind non-competitively to the Covid-19 virus cell surface and prevent the virus from infecting healthy cells. Using two antibodies protects against emergence of resistance.” 

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The monoclonal antibody therapy is most suitable for high risk Covid-19 patients who are within first 10 days of symptoms onset and meet any of the listed criteria, including age of 65 years or above. Other criteria include, obesity with body mass index (BMI) of more than 35; or type-1 or type-2 diabetes mellitus; or chronic kidney disease, including those on dialysis; or chronic liver disease; or currently receiving immunosuppressive treatment; or if aged above 55, having either heart disease, or hypertension, or chronic lung disease. 

High risk patients between the 12-17 years of age with minimum 40 kg weight may also be eligible if they have any of the following conditions — BMI of 85th percentile or more for their age and gender based on CDC growth charts; sickle cell disease, or congenital or acquired heart disease neurodevelopmental disorders; medical-related technological dependence, example tracheostomy, gastrostomy or positive pressure ventilation (not related to Covid-19), asthma, reactive airway or other chronic respiratory disease that requires daily medication for control. 

The therapy, however, is not recommended for those who are hospitalized due to severe Covid-19, require oxygen therapy due to Covid-19 or require an increase in baseline oxygen rate due to Covid-19 or those on chronic oxygen therapy due to underlying non-Covid-19 related co-morbidity.