Potential use of convalescent plasma for SARS-CoV-2 prophylaxis and treatment in immunocompromised and vulnerable populations

ABSTRACT

Introduction

: The ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is a serious threat for the health of immunocompromised patients. Among neutralizing antibody-based therapeutics, convalescent plasma containing polyclonal anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulins has promising results in both congenital and iatrogenic immunodeficiencies in oncohematological and transplant patients.

Areas covered

: This article discusses case reports, case series and controlled studies detailing the efficacy of convalescent plasma in immunocompromised patients.

Expert opinion

: Convalescent plasma, when administered at high neutralizing antibody titers, is a safe and effective treatment for frail immunocompromised patients. Genetic monitoring of refractory patients is recommended to intercept intra-host emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants.

KEYWORDS:

• Convalescent plasma
• hyperimmune serum
• polyclonal immunoglobulins
• neutralizing antibodies
• covid-19
• sars-cov-2

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Author contributions

All authors should have (1) substantially contributed to the conception and design of the review article and interpreting the relevant literature, and (2) been involved in writing the review article or revised it for intellectual content.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.