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UPMC on Friday said it has given monoclonal antibody treatment to about 1,000 people, preventing death or even hospitalization for about 70 percent.

UPMC portrayed the results as a major breakthrough in COVID-19 treatment and one that, along with vaccine, can prevent a repeat of COVID-19 surges and high death rates of the past.

Moreover, UPMC said the treatment is available at 16 of its locations, including UPMC Pinnacle hospitals in the Harrisburg region.

I would advise most patients to get monoclonal antibody treatment if they qualify, said Erin McCreary, a UPMC infectious disease pharmacist.

McCreary said UPMC plans to eventually detail its results in a peer-reviewed article. However, because the results represent a transformative and life-saving development, UPMC chose to publicize the results on Friday, she said.

Monoclonal antibody treatment is a one-time treatment given intravenously. According to McCreary, it involves copies of antibodies which seek out the COVID-19 virus and prevent it from infecting the cells and reproducing.

Essentially, were giving your immune system a leg up on the virus before it can take hold and wreak havoc, she said.

McCreary said side effects have been minimal, and she knows of no UPMC patients who had to be hospitalized because of reaction to the treatment. Three versions of monoclonal antibody treatment are available under emergency use approval from the federal government.

UPMC doctors said the treatment was given to President Donald Trump in October, when Trump made a seemingly miraculous recovering after coming down with COVID-19. UPMC had no role in treating Trump.

UPMC said it has found the treatment works best if given within 10 days of a positive COVID-19 test and, ideally, within four days of the onset of mild symptoms.

Its available to people at highest risk of becoming severely ill from COVID-19, including people 65 and older and younger patients who are obese or have conditions such diabetes or heart, lung or kidney disease.

About one-third of UPMC COVID-19 patients qualify. However, UPMC doctors said Friday they will advocate for expanding eligibility.

They further said they are surprised monoclonal antibody treatment isnt being used more widely. In fact, they said, because of expanded demand, they devised a lottery system to determine who would receive it, to ensure people dont use favored status and connections to get it. They havent had to use the lottery.

They urged people with COVID-19 symptoms to ask their doctors about getting the treatment.

They said costs are covered by the federal government or private insurance and cost shouldnt be a barrier for anyone.

They further said the monoclonal antibody treatment is being adjusted to involve more than one antibody. UPMC is studying the revised versions to determine if they are more effective against variant strains of COVID-19, which werent present when the original version was developed.

The UPMC doctors said the treatment is available in UPMC emergency rooms and also can be given at nursing homes or even at someones home.

After Trump tested positive and began feeling severely ill on a Friday in October, he was given monoclonal antibody therapy at the White House before he was taken to the hospital by helicopter. At one point his blood oxygen level had dropped to the point he was given supplemental oxygen.

At the hospital, he was also given an antiviral medication and a steroid. After being flown to the hospital on a Friday, he walked out on the following Monday.

Read more:
UPMC cites dramatic results with COVID-19 treatment received by Trump - PennLive