5PSQ-005 Analysis of the use of monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of COVID-19 in clinical practice: a weapon in the fight against the pandemic, alongside vaccination

Abstract

Background and importanceVaccines are emerging as a fundamental tool in the prevention of COVID-19 disease but are not decisive in treating it, once contracted. Anti COVID-19 monoclonal antibodies (MAb) define a valuable and parallel resource for the treatment of coronavirus infection so it is useful to monitor the usage data, adverse reactions (ADRs) and percentage of hospitalisations after treatment.Aim and objectivesPurpose of the work was to provide data on safety and efficacy of anti-COVID MAb in consideration of their use in current clinical practice.Material and methodsUsing a home-made database, the pharmacy extrapolated and reprocessed the data relating to the reports of patient recruitment by local and hospital clinicians, the number of patients who were treated, the specific therapies administered (bamlanivimab, bamlanivimab/etesevimab or casirivimab/imdevimab) and ADRs reported by doctors.In parallel, the infectious diseases department monitored the percentage of patients who still needed hospitalisation after the infusion of MAb.ResultsMost of the recruitment reports were received from general doctors (82% vs 18% from hospitals) and, from March 2021 to September 2021, 104 patients were treated: 48 patients (46.2%) with bamlanivimab/etesevimab, 55 (52.9%) with casirivimab/imdevimab and 1 (0.9%) with bamlanivimab. 67% of patients were not vaccinated while 33% received at least one dose of vaccine (58%: first dose;42%: two doses). The main comorbidity found was the cardiological/cerebral/vascular type.Following outpatient dosing, 2 ADRs have been reported: an emetic episode after bamlanivimab infusion and a subacute antero-septal myocardial infarction with acute pulmonary oedema occurring within hours after administration of casirivimab/imdevimab and in the presence of a septic event of bacterial origin. 9% of patients treated with anti-COVID-19 MAb still required hospitalisation due to COVID-19;the other patients recovered completely.Conclusion and relevanceTogether with the home care protocol and vaccines, MAb constitute a valid weapon in the early phase of COVID-19 disease. It is an important opportunity because it allows the virus to be faced in an active way, without waiting for the worsening of the patient’s clinical condition, and with a synergistic approach of hospital and territory that join forces against this great infectious disease challenge.References and/or acknowledgementsConflict of interestNo conflict of interest