87 Antibody health

Antibody health

COVID-19 patients are counting their antibodies like calories, and research is under way for antibody treatments.

As COVID-19 variants continue to infect people around the world, medical institutions are scrambling to determine whether antibodies are the key to a universal vaccine or treatment.

Medical concierge services are measuring COVID-19 antibodies as an added perk for patients. Those with access to high-end medical offices around the world are seeking reassurance by counting antibodies “like calories,” according to the New York Times. Locations offering these services include My Concierge MD in Beverly Hills, Sollis Health in Manhattan, and Montecito Concierge Medicine, a private provider in Montecito, California.

Breakthrough research published in November 2021 by the University of North Carolina and Duke University showed potential for the treatment of COVID-19 and its variants using isolated antibodies. The study suggested that an antibody identified as DH1047 can both prevent and fight the infection after a person is diagnosed. The research is a path to the design of a universal vaccine that could work against a wide variety of variants.

AstraZeneca announced the inauguration of a separate division for vaccines and antibody therapies in the same month. The new division will focus closely on the company’s COVID-19 treatments, combining the research, development and manufacturing of antibody treatments, and addressing future variants of COVID-19. Positive results from the antibody treatment trials show potential and more research is under way.

Why it’s interesting As research on antibody treatment shows promise, medical services may continue to home in on the benefits of measuring, monitoring and maintaining COVID-19 antibody levels for their patients.