Monoclonal Antibodies

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What are monoclonal antibodies (mAbs)?   

Monoclonal antibodies, or mAbs, are made in a laboratory to fight a particular infection — in this case, the virus that causes COVID-19 — and are given to patients directly with an infusion or a shot. Your body naturally makes antibodies to fight infection. However, your body may not have antibodies designed to recognize a new virus like the virus that causes COVID-19. That’s why mAb treatment may help patients who are at high risk for severe symptoms or hospitalization.  The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to allow the use of monoclonal antibody therapies for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 in certain high-risk patients. This treatment must be administered early in order to work.

How do monoclonal antibodies work?

Monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy, also called monoclonal antibody infusion treatment, is a way of treating COVID-19. The goal of this therapy is to help prevent hospitalizations, reduce viral loads and lessen symptom severity.  This type of therapy relies on monoclonal antibodies. These are antibodies that are similar to the ones your body would naturally make in response to infection. However, monoclonal antibodies are mass-produced in a laboratory and are designed to recognize a specific component of this virus — the spike protein on its outer shell.  By targeting the spike protein, these specific antibodies interfere with the virus' ability to attach and gain entry into human cells. They give the immune system a leg up until it can mount its own response.  This therapy can be extremely effective, but it's not a replacement for vaccination. The community still needs to step up and get vaccinated to break the virus' chain of transmission.

Who is eligible?

If you are considered at high-risk for severe COVID-19 you may be eligible for treatment. Individuals who have had symptoms for 10 days or less, should call us immediately at 928-224-2834 or fill out the form below to see if monoclonal antibody treatment is right for you.