Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants with amino-acid substitutions and deletions in spike protein (S) can reduce the effectiveness of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and may compromise immunity induced by vaccines. We report a polyclonal, fully human, anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin produced in transchromosomic bovines (Tc-hIgG-SARS-CoV-2) hyperimmunized with two doses of plasmid DNA encoding the SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan strain S gene, followed by repeated immunization with S protein purified from insect cells. The resulting Tc-hIgG-SARS-CoV-2, termed SAB-185, efficiently neutralizes SARS-CoV-2, and vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) SARS-CoV-2 chimeras . Neutralization potency was retained for S variants including S477N, E484K, and N501Y, substitutions present in recent variants of concern. In contrast to the ease of selection of escape variants with mAbs and convalescent human plasma, we were unable to isolate VSV-SARS-CoV-2 mutants resistant to Tc-hIgG-SARS-CoV-2 neutralization. This fully human immunoglobulin that potently inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infection may provide an effective therapeutic to combat COVID-19.
Hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC) is commonly used to determine the drug-to-antibody ratio (DAR) and drug load distribution of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). However, identifying various DAR species separated by HIC is challenging due to the traditional use of mobile phases that are incompatible with mass spectrometry (MS). Existing approaches used to couple HIC with MS often encounter issues, such as complex instrumentation, compromised separation efficiency, and reduced MS sensitivity.
Background: Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is a rare, life-threatening disorder characterized by microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and end-organ damage. Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is even less common, comprising less than 10% of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) cases. aHUS in postpartum is associated with poor maternal outcomes, with the majority of cases resulting in end-stage renal disease.
Aims: To assess the feasibility of a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial of zoledronic acid (ZA) as adjuvant therapy for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).
Methods: In this 1-year, randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled pilot study, nAMD patients were allocated 1:1 to receive intravenous ZA 5 mg or placebo at baseline and after 6 months in addition to intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy following a treat-and-extend regimen. Bevacizumab was the first-line anti-VEGF drug, but eyes with refractory nAMD were switched to aflibercept.
A 61-year-old woman underwent an open right hemicolectomy for perforated ascending colon cancer. Later, the patient underwent R2 surgery for duodenal invasion. Chemotherapy was initiated with mFOLFOX6 and panitumumab post-surgery.
A 70-year-old man was admitted to a local hospital with epigastric pain and diagnosed with type-2 gastric cancer. Contrast-enhanced CT scan showed metastases in S3 and S8 of the liver, and the tumor was classified as type cT4aN2H1, cStage ⅣB. Nivolumab monotherapy was initiated after failure of treatment with S-1 plus oxaliplatin and ramucirumab.
