Tixagevimab-cilgavimab as an early treatment for COVID-19 in kidney transplant recipients

Abstract

Objective: This single-center retrospective study evaluated the use of tixagevimab-cilgavimab as an early treatment for COVID-19 in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) during the omicron wave. Methods: KTRs were deemed at high risk for moderate-to-severe COVID-19 in presence of at least one comorbidity (age >60 years, diabetes, obesity, or cardiovascular disease) associated with a weak humoral response (<264 BAU/mL). All other KTRs were considered at low risk. The two groups were stratified according to the administration of tixagevimab-cilgavimab and compared in terms of COVID-19-related hospitalization, oxygen need, ICU admission, and mortality. Results: Of the 61 KTRs at high risk, 26 received tixagevimab-cilgavimab. COVID-19-related hospitalizations (3.8% versus 34%, p=0.006) and oxygen need (3.8% versus 23%, p=0.04) were significantly less frequent in patients who received tixagevimab-cilgavimab. In addition, non-significant trends towards a lower number of ICU admissions (3.8% versus 14.3% p=0.17) and deaths (0 versus 3, p=0.13) were observed after administration of tixagevimab-cilgavimab. Ten of the 73 low-risk KTRs received tixagevimab-cilgavimab, and no significant clinical benefit was observed in this subgroup. Conclusion: Early administration of tixagevimab-cilgavimab may be clinically useful in high-risk KTRs with COVID-19; however, no major benefit was observed for low-risk patients.