Bamlanivimab works in real-world COVID-19 patients

The use of the monoclonal antibody bamlanivimab for COVID-19 yields good results, cutting the incidence of hospitalization among patients treated in the real-world setting, as shown in a study.

The study population consisted of 218 patients who received bamlanivimab (cases) and 185 who were referred but did not receive the study drug (controls). All patients were adults, ambulatory, had risk factors for severe COVID-19, and referrals for bamlanivimab via emergency use authorization (EUA).

Compared with controls, patients treated with bamlanivimab were older (p=0.008), more likely to be immunosuppressed (odds ratio [OR], 1.68, 95 percent confidence interval [CI], 1.07–2.64; p=0.024), and had a greater proportion of those aged >55 years with chronic lung disease (OR, 2.19, 95 percent CI, 1.11–4.33; p=0.021). Gender distribution and rates of other comorbid conditions by EUA indication (body mass index, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or >55 years with hypertension or cardiovascular disease) were similar.

The primary outcome of 30-day hospitalization rate was significantly lower in the treated than nontreated group (7.3 percent vs 20.0 percent; relative risk, 0.37, 95 percent CI, 0.21–0.64; p<0.001), and the number needed to treat was 8.

On multivariable logistic regression, factors predicting the incidence of hospitalization included nonreceipt of bamlanivimab (OR, 4.19, 95 percent CI, 1.31–2.16; p<0.001) and a higher number of prespecified comorbidities (OR, 1.68, 95 percent CI, 2.12–8.30; p<0.001).

The present data may aid in the identification of high-risk, ambulatory patients who should be considered for EUA monoclonal antibody treatment to prevent hospitalizations associated with severe COVID-19.