Emily
Editor, Senior Moderator
https://hms.harvard.edu/news/one-all
One for All?
New antibody neutralizes all known SARS-CoV-2 variants in lab tests
By NANCY FLIESLER | Boston Children’s August 15, 2022
As the COVID-19 pandemic wears on, newer variants of SARS-CoV-2 have been evolving ways to evade the antibodies our bodies make in response to vaccination or prior infections. Breakthrough cases have resulted, and antibody treatments that once worked also have become less effective over time.
Scientists have been searching for an antibody that would be broadly neutralizing — able to fight off any viral variant that might emerge.
An antibody developed by researchers at Harvard Medical School and Boston Children’s Hospital now seems to fit the bill.
In lab tests, it neutralized all currently known SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, including all omicron variants.
“We hope this antibody will prove to be as effective in patients as it has been in preclinical evaluations thus far,” said Frederick Alt, the HMS Charles A. Janeway Professor of Pediatrics at Boston Children’s, professor of genetics at HMS, and a senior investigator on the study.
“If it does,” he added, “it might provide a new therapeutic and also contribute to new vaccine strategies.”..
One for All?
New antibody neutralizes all known SARS-CoV-2 variants in lab tests
By NANCY FLIESLER | Boston Children’s August 15, 2022
As the COVID-19 pandemic wears on, newer variants of SARS-CoV-2 have been evolving ways to evade the antibodies our bodies make in response to vaccination or prior infections. Breakthrough cases have resulted, and antibody treatments that once worked also have become less effective over time.
Scientists have been searching for an antibody that would be broadly neutralizing — able to fight off any viral variant that might emerge.
An antibody developed by researchers at Harvard Medical School and Boston Children’s Hospital now seems to fit the bill.
In lab tests, it neutralized all currently known SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, including all omicron variants.
“We hope this antibody will prove to be as effective in patients as it has been in preclinical evaluations thus far,” said Frederick Alt, the HMS Charles A. Janeway Professor of Pediatrics at Boston Children’s, professor of genetics at HMS, and a senior investigator on the study.
“If it does,” he added, “it might provide a new therapeutic and also contribute to new vaccine strategies.”..