Results from the landmark Randomised Evaluation of COVID-19 Therapy (RECOVERY) trial reveal that sotrovimab, an antiviral monoclonal antibody, significantly reduces mortality in specific COVID-19 patient populations. The findings, while promising, highlight the importance of precise patient selection for optimal treatment outcomes.
The multicenter study, conducted across 107 UK hospitals, enrolled 1,723 patients between January 2022 and March 2024. Notable for its contemporary patient population, the trial included predominantly vaccinated individuals, with over 80% having pre-existing COVID-19 antibodies and most infections caused by Omicron variants.
Key Efficacy Findings
Among patients with high viral antigen levels, sotrovimab demonstrated a 25% reduction in 28-day mortality risk (rate ratio 0.75; 95% CI 0.56-0.99; p=0.046). In this high-risk subgroup, 23% of sotrovimab-treated patients died compared to 29% in the usual care group.
However, when analyzing the entire study population regardless of viral load, no significant survival benefit emerged. The overall mortality rates were 21% in the sotrovimab group versus 22% in the usual care group (rate ratio 0.95; 95% CI 0.77-1.16; p=0.60).
Mechanism and Implementation Challenges
Sotrovimab works by binding to the SARS-CoV-2 virus surface, inhibiting viral replication. While the treatment shows promise, its clinical application faces significant hurdles due to viral evolution. The study was unique in evaluating sotrovimab against Omicron variants, which had rendered most other monoclonal antibodies ineffective.
Dr. Leon Peto, Senior Clinical Research Fellow at Oxford Population Health, emphasized the findings' implications: "Our results provide promising evidence that monoclonal antibody therapy could still be effective in patients hospitalised with COVID-19 if it is targeted towards the right people." However, he cautioned about the relatively smaller sample size compared to previous RECOVERY evaluations.
Future Implications and Limitations
The emergence of sotrovimab-resistant variants since the study's completion presents a significant challenge for current clinical applications. Despite this limitation, the trial's findings establish an important principle: the potential effectiveness of targeted monoclonal antibody therapy in hospitalized COVID-19 patients with specific viral characteristics.
The study, supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, UK Research and Innovation, and Wellcome, maintains its independence despite receiving sotrovimab supplies from GSK and Vir Biotechnology. The RECOVERY trial continues its broader mission, currently evaluating treatments for influenza and community-acquired pneumonia.
