Emergence of Q493R mutation in SARS-CoV-2 spike protein during bamlanivimab/etesevimab treatment and resistance to viral clearance

Data from clinical trials suggest that monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatments can prevent deaths and severe disease among people with mild to moderate COVID-19. Recently, a cocktail of two mAbs- bamlanivimab and etesevimab- was reported to cut the risk of hospitalization and death by 87% 1. The European Medicine Agency (EMA) recommends the use of this combination in patients who do not require supplemental oxygen, and who are at high risk of progression to severe disease 2. Since SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein is the target of antibody-based therapeutics, they all suffer from one major risk: mutational escape of the Spike protein3.

Source: Journal of Infection - August 23, 2021 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Aur élie Guigon, Emmanuel Faure, Chloé Lemaire, Marie-Charlotte Chopin, Claire Tinez, Ady Assaf, Mouna Lazrek, Didier Hober, Laurence Bocket, Ilka Engelmann, Enagnon Kazali Alidjinou Source Type: research