What is a monoclonal antibody and how does it work?
The body’s immune system generates antibodies — specific protein molecules — as a defense mechanism against unfamiliar molecules, called antigens. Molecules from pathogens like bacteria and viruses can act as antigens, prompting the production of antibodies that bind to antigens. This tells specialized cells of the immune system to kill the invading pathogen. Monoclonal antibodies work specifically against a particular portion on an antigen called the epitope, thereby exerting very targeted action.
The Role of Antigens & Antibodies in Vaccinations
Vaccines contain antigens which stimulate the
B lymphocytes of the immune system to respond by producing plasma cells which secrete disease specific antibodies.
Some of the B cells become memory B cells, which will recognize future exposure to the disease. This results in a faster and more intense production of antibodies, which effectively work to eliminate the disease by binding to the antigens.
What is Sotrovimab?
Sotrovimab is a new anti-viral therapy that has been approved for use on patients — aged 12 years or more — with severe attack of COVID-19.
It is a monoclonal antibody therapy developed by British pharmaceutical company,
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and
Vir Biotechnology, a clinical immunology therapy developer.
It is expensive, costs between USD 1000 and USD 3000, a potent intravenous infusion of antibodies to neutralize the virus, rather than dampen the body's inflammatory response to it.
Results from the Recovery trial suggest it could help one in three of those in hospital with severe Covid.
For every 100 patients treated, experts calculate, it would save six lives.
In the trial, it significantly reduced the:
- Risk of death
- Length of hospital stay, by four days on average
- Likelihood of needing a ventilator to breathe
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