Monoclonal antibody treatment for COVID-19 could be a game changer

But the timing for administering the treatment is key, say doctors

Monoclonal antibody treatment is now seen as a relatively effective and safer alternative in treating COVID-19 patients, with doctors stating that, as with any other drug, timing is very important for the administration of the therapy that’s touted as a game changer. “If given within 72 hours of the appearance of symptoms, it is proven to show good results and could be the way forward in tackling the SARS-CoV-2 virus,” doctors note. Monoclonal antibodies have previously been used to treat infections such as Ebola and HIV. The therapy is now said to help avoid hospitalisation in high-risk groups, progression to severe disease, and to reduce the usage of steroids.