Scientists from the DZL (German Center for Lung Research) sites in Hannover and Munich have discovered that preventive treatment with certain antibodies can lower the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection following a lung transplant.

The risk of a severe course of COVID-19 is significantly increased for lung transplant recipients. Vaccination remains the best protection against severe COVID-19 infection. However, in recipients of solid donor organs, such as lungs, vaccination often fails to elicit a sufficient immune response.

Researchers from the DZL sites in Hannover and Munich have now found that prophylactic treatment with two monoclonal antibodies can protect patients from SARS-CoV-2 infection. In their study, they examined 1,438 patients who had undergone lung transplantation. Of these, 29% received a pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) using the monoclonal antibodies Tixagevimab and Cilgavimab. These are SARS-CoV-2-neutralizing antibodies derived from individuals previously infected with the coronavirus.

Potential Protection Against Severe Outcomes

This PrEP was administered based on individual decisions made by the treating physicians, often in cases where patients had comorbidities, were of older age, or had not developed sufficient antibodies following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.

The group receiving PrEP therefore included more high-risk patients. Among those who contracted the coronavirus despite receiving PrEP, the course of COVID-19 was similar to that of individuals who did not receive PrEP. According to the study authors, this suggests that PrEP not only protects against infection but also helps reduce the severity of the disease in cases of breakthrough infections. This finding is particularly significant, as the researchers had initially expected that the PrEP group would experience more severe COVID-19 outcomes due to their higher baseline risk.

The original publication can be accessed here.