The possibility of an alternative to the coronavirus vaccine in Russia is assessed: Society: Russia: Lenta.ru
The appearance in Russia of an alternative routine vaccination in the form of monoclonal antibodies (MAT) is unlikely. So this opportunity was assessed by Zaurbek Aisanov, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor of the Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University of the Ministry of Health of Russia, in an interview with Lente.ru.
Preparations based on MAT artificially created from one clone of immune cells. They have the ability to neutralize a specific antigen. Abroad, they are recommended to be taken for prophylaxis in patients with weakened immunity. The MAT consisted of the American biotechnology company Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, the so-called “cocktail”, which was used to treat US President Donald Trump, who was ill with coronavirus. This remedy is only used in emergencies for adults and children with mild to moderate illness.
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Professor Aisanov doubted that conventional drugs are becoming an alternative to vaccines, since they are too expensive. In the United States, the cost of one infusion is, according to various sources, approximately from one to five thousand dollars.
No, this is unlikely. First of all, due to the high cost of drugs. In addition, vaccines on modern platforms (DNA or RNA-containing) can be quickly adapted, in about a few weeks, to changing variants of the virus. What the manufacturers themselves are talking about. And antibody production is not a fast process.
Zaurbek AisanovProfessor, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia
He also noted that millions of doses are currently required for vaccination. And the production of monoclonal antibodies in such quantities now “cannot produce such volumes.”
In addition, the specialist allows that it is not only the high cost of production. Injection of these antibodies is a rather complicated medical procedure. They need to be administered to the patient with special devices intravenously for 30-90 minutes. “You must agree that today, the massive introduction of monoclonal antibodies, unlike vaccination, is impossible,” – Doctor of Medical Sciences.
Aisanov also drew attention to the fact that it is quite difficult to preactivate opponents of vaccination if they are offered to inject a drug based on artificially created antibodies.
Earlier in China showed a neutralizing monoclonal antibody 35B5. According to the researchers, this helped them find a vulnerability in the coronavirus itself, which is not susceptible to dangerous mutations. Later, Ancha Baranova, Chief Researcher of the Laboratory of Functional Genomics of the Medical Genetic Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, assessed this discovery and stated that the antibody would not improve the epidemiological situation in the country.