Regeneron COVID Monoclonal antibodies finally approved in the UK. AZ antibodies prevented ALL severe infections and deaths!

It only took a year after the USA’s FDA, but the UK’s MHRA has finally approved the Regeneron monoclonal antibody cocktail! There is also great news about the other monoclonal antibody by Astra-Zeneca. This is all great news but we urge our readers to contact their MPs and ask them to put pressure on the NHS to fund these treatments since it is not yet clear which groups of patients will be allowed to receive it.

As we have explained before, the data behind monoclonal antibody use is growing rapidly. It is becoming increasingly clear that if you have enough COVID19 antibodies in your blood, wherever they came from, you are much less likely to develop an infection, and very unlikely indeed to be admitted to hospital or die. And it is also clear that the people who benefit most from this treatment are those who are unable to make their own antibodies. Many people with blood cancer fall into this group.

Also announced in the last few days was the results of the clinical trial of Astra Zeneca monoclonal antibodies that I was a volunteer in.

The results are simply outstanding. There was a 77% reduction in the risk of getting a COVID19 infection in those who took the monoclonal antibodies compared to those who were given placebo. Even better than this, there were ZERO cases of severe COVID-19 and ZERO COVID-19-related deaths in the active group. In the placebo arm, there were three cases of severe COVID-19, which included two deaths.

It is becoming increasingly clear that if you have enough COVID19 antibodies in your blood, wherever they came from, you are much less likely to develop an infection, and very unlikely indeed to be admitted to hospital or die.
Adrian Warnock, BLood CANCER UNCENSORED

Whilst you cannot guarantee that there will continue to be a perfect record in the real world, there is now a very strong case to use this prophylactic treatment in anyone who fails to respond to COVID19 vaccines by making antibodies.

On a personal level I am now eight months after my injection of what they told me was the active treatment. When my antibodies have faded as they inevitably will, please can I have another injection?

We need to move quickly to save lives.

It is now crucial we WARN all blood cancer and other immune compromised patients that the vaccine might not work for them.

Then, in order to identify which specific patients will benefit from these new treatments we MUST immediately TEST antibody levels on all immune compromised individuals who’ve been vaccinated. It is reasonable to assume that if the vaccine hasn’t worked then it is likely they won’t be able to make antibodies to in response to a COVID infection.

When we know who the truly Vulnerable are we can try and PROTECT them and reduce their risk of infection in the first place. But it is now clear that we have a viable way to TREAT us if we are exposed to the risk of infection.

Astra-Zeneca Monoclonal Antibodies used prophylactically prevented all hospitalisations or deaths from COVID19
https://www.astrazeneca.com/content/astraz/media-centre/press-releases/2021/azd7442-prophylaxis-trial-met-primary-endpoint.html

These antibodies at £1000-£2000 a dose are a bit more expensive than vaccines but are clearly very good value. Supplies are presumably limited. It therefore makes sense that those with a documented failure to respond to a vaccine by making antibodies should be the ones offered these treatments. The only question is when to give them.

Should all who do not have their own post-vaccine antibodies be offered one of these infusions immediately? Should we wait till we know we have been exposed (even though you might be exposed without realising) or should we wait till symptoms appear or we have a positive test? It is CLEAR that we should NOT wait till symptoms become severe. To save your life the earlier you can take one of these cocktails the better. DO NOT LET anyone tell you that if you only have mild symptoms you do not need this. If you have no antibodies of your own the whole idea of this treatment is to prevent the emergence of severe symptoms.

So here is a clear signal of hope to come for us. But for now we need to continue to be cautious as the background infection rate is still around 1 in 80 in the UK and this may well be higher in some other countries including the USA. This rate is the crucial figure for us to look at since we are much more vulnerable to serious consequences than those without blood cancer.

I have felt for a while like it was probable that I had some protection from COVID due to the experimental treatment I have taken. Even now I know that there is a very good level of protection (at least until it runs out!) I will still not be taking extreme risks. But this is undoubtedly great news.

AZD7442 PROVENT Phase III Prophylaxis Trial Met Primary Endpoint in Preventing Symptomatic COVID-19

Four steps to save the lives of blood cancer patients from COVID-19: Warn, Test, Protect, Treat

It is NOW time to give monoclonal antibodies to ALL blood cancer patients who don’t respond to vaccines

USA blood cancer patients – Monoclonal antibodies now available if you have you been exposed to COVID19 or are you at high risk of exposure. When will the UK catch up?