Perspectives on the use and risk of adverse events associated with cytokine-storm targeting antibodies and challenges associated with development of novel monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of COVID-19 clinical cases

ABSTRACT

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic that lacks globally accessible effective antivirals or extensively available vaccines. Numerous clinical trials are exploring the applicability of repurposed monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting cytokines that cause adverse COVID-19-related pathologies, and novel mAbs directly targeting SARS-CoV-2. However, comorbidities and the incidence of cytokine storm (CS)-associated pathological complexities in some COVID-19 patients may limit the clinical use of these drugs. Additionally, CS-targeting mAbs have the potential to cause adverse events that restrict their applicability in patients with comorbidities. Novel mAbs targeting SARS-CoV-2 require pharmacological and toxicological characterization before a marketable product becomes available. The affordability of novel mAbs across the global economic spectrum may seriously limit their accessibility. This review presents a perspective on antibody-based research efforts and their limitations for COVID-19.

KEYWORDS:

• COVID-19
• immunotherapeutics
• adverse effects
• monoclonal antibodies

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest

Additional information

Funding

Authors are thankful to United Arab Emirates University for the funding this submission through a research grant (UAE-Research Start-Up 31F129).