In what could prove to be a game-changer in COVID-19 treatment in the country, a monoclonal antibody cocktail was successfully used in two patients with fast progression of symptoms within the first seven days in Delhi’s Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. The treatment worked miraculously and the vital parameters of the patient showed improvement within 12 hours.

Dr Pooja Khosla, Senior Consultant, Department of Medicine, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital said that monoclonal antibodies could prove to be a game-changer treatment in times to come if used at an appropriate time.

“It can avoid hospitalization in high-risk group and progression to severe disease. It can help to escape or to reduce the usage of steroids and immunomodulation which would further reduce the risk of fatal infections like Mucormycosis, secondary bacterial and viral infections like CMV,” she further added.

The patient’s parameters improved within 12 hours: Hospital

According to a press release issued by the hospital, a 36-year-old healthcare worker ‘with a high-grade’ fever, cough, myalgia, severe weakness and leucopenia was administered REGCov2 (CASIRIVIMAB Plus IMDEVIMAB) on day 6 of disease’. The statement added that due to the treatment, the patient’s parameters improved within 12 hours and the patient was discharged.

The monoclonal antibody cocktail, which is used to treat mild to moderate ‘high risk’ COVID-19 positive patients is available at Delhi’s Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital.

According to information available in the open domain, monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-developed molecules that act like antibodies and enhance the immune system to fight infections. The remedy may come as a booster at a time when the world is fighting the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.