Monoclonal Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2: Potential Game-Changer Still Underused

Ivan Gentile, Alberto Enrico Maraolo, Antonio Riccardo Buonomo, Mariano Nobile, Prisco Piscitelli, Alessandro Miani and Nicola Schiano Moriello
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Ivan Gentile: Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
Alberto Enrico Maraolo: First Division of Infectious Diseases, Cotugno Hospital, AORN Dei Colli, 80131 Naples, Italy
Antonio Riccardo Buonomo: Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
Mariano Nobile: Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
Prisco Piscitelli: Staff UNESCO Chair on Health Education and Sustainable Development, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
Alessandro Miani: Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
Nicola Schiano Moriello: Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 21, 1-4

Abstract: Even several months after the start of a massive vaccination campaign against COVID-19, mortality and hospital admission are still high in many countries. Monoclonal antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 are the ideal complement to vaccination in infected subjects who are at high risk for progression to severe disease. Based on data of the Italian Ministry of Health, in the period April–August 2021, monoclonal antibodies were prescribed to 6322 patients. In the same period, 70,022 patients over 70 years old became infected with SARS-CoV-2. Even considering that all monoclonal antibodies were prescribed to this category of patients, we calculated that only 9% of these subjects received the treatment. Moreover, using efficacy data provided by clinal trials, we estimated the potential benefit in terms of reduction of hospital admissions and deaths. Considering utilisation of monoclonal antibodies in half infected patients over 70 years, we estimated that hospital admissions and deaths might have been reduced by 7666 and 3507, respectively. Finally, we calculated the economic benefit of monoclonal use. In the same scenario (50% use of monoclonal antibodies to patients over 70), we estimated potential savings of USD 117,410,105. In conclusion, monoclonal antibodies were used in a small proportion of patients over 70 in Italy. A more extensive use might have resulted in a marked decrease in hospital admissions, deaths and in conspicuous saving for the health system.

Keywords: COVID-19; monoclonal antibodies; lethality; hospitalizations; savings (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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