Sotrovimab: is it effective in early treatment of mild and moderate COVID-19 infections? A retrospective study

BACKGROUND: The monoclonal antibody sotrovimab is manufactured to antagonize many types of coronaviruses including the SARS-CoV-2. It is used mainly to treat mild and moderate COVID-19 infection and to prevent the progression of the disease from critical disease to severe. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness of sotrovimab in the early treatment of mild and moderate COVID-19 infections and prevention of disease progression to severe and critical disease. METHODS: This study was performed on 220 outpatients who have already received sotrovimab in Obaidullah Hospital, United Arab Emirates. All patients underwent the following before receiving sotrovimab: routine laboratory studies (CBC, liver function tests, and kidney function tests) and other laboratory tests (C reactive protein (CRP), D dimer, and chest x-ray). All patients received sotrovimab in a dose of 500 mg once intravenous infusion over 30 min. All laboratory studies and CXR are repeated after 1 week of receiving the dose of sotrovimab. RESULTS: The outcome was 43 patients deteriorated (19.5%) and 177 patients improved (80.5%). The progress of patients’ symptoms after receiving sotrovimab where the shortness of breath (SOB) deteriorated in 43 patients (19.5%) and improved in 177 patients (80.5%). The cough symptom deteriorated in 43 patients (19.5%), improved in 177 patients (80.5%). The progress of patients' radiology (chest x-ray) where it is deteriorated in 43 patients (19.5%) and improved in 177 patients (80.5%). The rate of hospitalization after receiving sotrovimab where 41 patients were hospitalized (18.6%) and 179 patients were not hospitalized (81.4%). There was a statistically significant difference before and after using sotrovimab in vital signs, inflammatory markers, kidney function tests, electrolytes, endocrine functions, and hepatic profile. CONCLUSION: Among adults with mild and moderate COVID-19, the use of sotrovimab significantly improved resolution of symptoms, outcome, radiology, or laboratory marker and decreased hospitalization. The findings support using sotrovimab in the early treatment of mild and moderate COVID-19. Wide-scale studies may be required for clarifying the effects of sotrovimab in the treatment of mild and moderate COVID-19 infections.