Cancer HorizonsAll NewsBlogsCaregivingDiet and ExerciseFinancialPsychosocialRecipesSexual HealthSide EffectSponsoredSurvivorship
All VideosCURE ConnectionsCURE Expert Connections®CURE Speaking OutCURE TVEducated Patient Sound BitesOn Demand: Webinars
Conference Coverage Conference Listing
CURE AdventuresCURE AwardsEducated Patient In Person EducationEducated Patient Virtual Education
Advocacy GroupsArt GalleryClinical Trial CornerHeal®PartnersPodcastsPublicationsShare Your Story
Subscribe
Blood CancersBlood CancersBlood CancersBlood Cancers
Brain Cancer
Breast CancerBreast Cancer
Childhood Cancers
Gastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal Cancers
Genitourinary CancersGenitourinary CancersGenitourinary CancersGenitourinary Cancers
Gynecologic CancerGynecologic CancerGynecologic Cancer
Head & Neck Cancer
LeukemiaLeukemiaLeukemia
Lung Cancer
LymphomaLymphomaLymphomaLymphoma
Rare CancersRare Cancers
Sarcoma
Skin Cancer/Melanoma
Thyroid Cancer
Spotlight -
  • Blogs
  • Breast Cancer Webinar Series
  • Cancer Horizons
  • Clinical Trial Corner
  • Heal®
  • Publications
  • Videos
Blood CancersBlood CancersBlood CancersBlood Cancers
Brain Cancer
Breast CancerBreast Cancer
Childhood Cancers
Gastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal Cancers
Genitourinary CancersGenitourinary CancersGenitourinary CancersGenitourinary Cancers
Gynecologic CancerGynecologic CancerGynecologic Cancer
Head & Neck Cancer
LeukemiaLeukemiaLeukemia
Lung Cancer
LymphomaLymphomaLymphomaLymphoma
Rare CancersRare Cancers
Sarcoma
Skin Cancer/Melanoma
Thyroid Cancer
    • Subscribe
Advertisement

Article

January 11, 2022

Prophylactic Monoclonal Antibodies Recommended to Protect Certain Patients With Cancer From COVID-19

Author(s):

Brielle Benyon

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network now recommends prophylactic monoclonal antibodies for immunosuppressed individuals, such as certain patients with cancer.

Patients with cancer should talk with their doctor to determine if they would be sufficiently protected by any of the available COVID-19 vaccines or if they would be eligible for, and better off, receiving a prophylactic (preventive) combination of monoclonal antibodies that were recently granted emergency use authorization by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), according to an expert.

“We know that patients who have undergone transplantation such as solid organ transplants, bone marrow transplants CAR-T cell therapy, certain malignancies like lymphoid malignancies, lymphoma, (chronic lymphocytic leukemia), that their response to the (COVID-19) vaccine could be quite poor, based upon the treatment that they’ve been receiving,” Dr. Sanjeet Dadwal, a clinical professor of infectious diseases at City of Hope in Duarte, Calif, said in an interview with CURE®. (The monoclonal antibody combination) is particularly for that group, who are considered to be immunocompromised and are unlikely to respond to the vaccine.”.

Dadwal, who is also a member of the Advisory Committee on COVID-19 Vaccination and Pre-exposure Prophylaxis and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Guidelines Panel for Prevention and Treatment of Cancer-Related Infections, recently spoke with CURE® about the NCCN’s updated COVID-19 guidance for patients with cancer.

The new guidelines were crafted after the FDA issued an emergency use authorization for the drug duo — tixagevimab plus cilgavimab — for the pre-exposure protection for COVID-19 in individuals aged 12 or older who are moderately to severely immune compromised.

Prioritizing Who Receives Preventive Monoclonal Antibodies

Currently, the drugs that are used to prevent exposure to COVID-19 are very scarce, and as Dadwal noted, should be reserved for the patients who need them most, such as those who recently underwent a solid organ transplantation, received a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation or have blood cancer and have been shown to be less likely to develop immunity from the vaccine.

“If somebody is eligible for vaccination, that’s the route to go,” Dadwal said. “If they are ineligible for the vaccine, (per) the guidance which we have at the NCCN, then they can go this route (of the prophylactic monoclonal antibody).”

Repeat Vaccination After Certain Cancer Treatments

The updated NCCN guidelines also advocate that patients get vaccinated again after they have undergone a stem cell transplant, CAR-T cell therapy or other chemotherapy and radiation treatments. This is the case for other vaccines that were given before treatment, too.

“That’s nothing new (with) other vaccines, also. So let’s say that people got the polio vaccine, or hepatitis A, B (vaccine) prior to transplant when they were kids or young adults. After you give the transplant or CAR-T (therapy), that immunity is lost,” Dadwal said. “And the same thing holds for the COVID-19 vaccine, too.”

Dadwal explained that now the NCCN recommends that patients wait at least three months after transplantation to get re-vaccinated against COVID-19.

Still Take Other Precautions

Even with the promise of new treatments and preventive strategies for COVID-19, patients with cancer should still be careful to protect themselves from infection — especially as omicron variant cases continue to rise.

“I do understand and emphasize, we cannot be isolating ourselves forever,” Dadwal said. “But getting into larger groups is not advised, especially now when the surge is going up. Stay away, because we do not know how (well) you may have responded to the vaccine. So it is very important to do your due diligence and be careful with masking. If you’re meeting with somebody, maybe even get your eye protection and stay away from them and not mingle very closely.”

Additionally, he said that vaccination for those eligible is still essential.

“Vaccination is still the key, and it has shown that it reduces the severity of illness and hospitalization, so we still recommend getting vaccinated,” Dadwal concluded.

For more news on cancer updates, research and education, don’t forget to subscribe to CURE®’s newsletters here.

Newsletter

Stay up to date on cancer updates, research and education

Subscribe Now!
Related Videos
The inMIND trial led to the FDA approval of Monjuvi with Revlimid and Rituxan for relapsed follicular lymphoma, showing benefits across diverse patients.
Clinical Trial Evaluating Monjuvi in Lymphoma Gives Lasting Responses
Mark Daniels, an 83-year-old veteran and former fighter pilot, was shocked by his lymphoma diagnosis because he maintained exceptional physical fitness.
Daniel Jernazian, who beat cancer twice, credits his sports mindset for survival and calls it winning his ‘life World Championship’.
Image of two doctors and text.
Image of Dr. Evens.
Image of carly.
Image of kelly.
Image of doctor.
Image of Dr. Kelly
Related Content
Advertisement
John Smelcer was diagnosed with stage 2, B-cell, non-specific, non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in the fall of 2022. Catch up on all of John's blogs here!
July 16th 2025

The Magnificent Healing Power of Poetry for Those With Cancer

John Smelcer, PhD, CAGS
Writing poems following my lymphoma diagnosis gave me hope and purpose as I endured chemo, helping me heal and share my experience with others.
CURE Cancer Horizons podcast logo
January 29th 2024

Prostate Cancer Headlines, CAR-T Warnings and Laughter Therapy

Alex Biese Brielle Benyon
CURE® editors discuss last week’s biggest cancer headlines, from Dexter Scott King’s death to the potential of laughter therapy to boost quality of life.
Karen Cohn is a retired middle school special education teacher who was diagnosed with follicular lymphoma in July 2020. Catch up on all of Karen's blogs here!
July 11th 2025

Five Years Since My Lymphoma Diagnosis: What I Know Now

Karen Cohn
Five years after my lymphoma diagnosis, life looks normal on the outside; however, the fear of recurrence and the reality of cancer never fully fade.
Top Headlines on CAR-T Cell Therapy
December 4th 2023

Top Headlines on CAR-T Cell Therapy

Alex Biese Brielle Benyon
From FDA concerns to a potential new drug, CAR-T cell therapies were dominating oncology headlines last week.
Daniel Jernazian, a two-time cancer survivor, shares what shaped his journey through illness and recovery.
July 9th 2025

A Survivor and Patient Advocate Reflects on Beating Cancer Twice

Spencer Feldman
Daniel Jernazian, a two-time cancer survivor, shares how sports, advocacy and meeting his idol shaped his journey through illness and recovery.
Mark Daniels, 83, says CAR T-cell therapy and strong support helped him overcome lymphoma twice.
July 2nd 2025

Veteran Credits CAR T-Cell Therapy With Helping Him Reach Remission

Spencer Feldman
Mark Daniels, 83, says CAR T-cell therapy and strong support helped him overcome lymphoma twice and return to the fitness-focused life he values.
Related Content
Advertisement
John Smelcer was diagnosed with stage 2, B-cell, non-specific, non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in the fall of 2022. Catch up on all of John's blogs here!
July 16th 2025

The Magnificent Healing Power of Poetry for Those With Cancer

John Smelcer, PhD, CAGS
Writing poems following my lymphoma diagnosis gave me hope and purpose as I endured chemo, helping me heal and share my experience with others.
CURE Cancer Horizons podcast logo
January 29th 2024

Prostate Cancer Headlines, CAR-T Warnings and Laughter Therapy

Alex Biese Brielle Benyon
CURE® editors discuss last week’s biggest cancer headlines, from Dexter Scott King’s death to the potential of laughter therapy to boost quality of life.
Karen Cohn is a retired middle school special education teacher who was diagnosed with follicular lymphoma in July 2020. Catch up on all of Karen's blogs here!
July 11th 2025

Five Years Since My Lymphoma Diagnosis: What I Know Now

Karen Cohn
Five years after my lymphoma diagnosis, life looks normal on the outside; however, the fear of recurrence and the reality of cancer never fully fade.
Top Headlines on CAR-T Cell Therapy
December 4th 2023

Top Headlines on CAR-T Cell Therapy

Alex Biese Brielle Benyon
From FDA concerns to a potential new drug, CAR-T cell therapies were dominating oncology headlines last week.
Daniel Jernazian, a two-time cancer survivor, shares what shaped his journey through illness and recovery.
July 9th 2025

A Survivor and Patient Advocate Reflects on Beating Cancer Twice

Spencer Feldman
Daniel Jernazian, a two-time cancer survivor, shares how sports, advocacy and meeting his idol shaped his journey through illness and recovery.
Mark Daniels, 83, says CAR T-cell therapy and strong support helped him overcome lymphoma twice.
July 2nd 2025

Veteran Credits CAR T-Cell Therapy With Helping Him Reach Remission

Spencer Feldman
Mark Daniels, 83, says CAR T-cell therapy and strong support helped him overcome lymphoma twice and return to the fitness-focused life he values.
About Us
Advertise / Support
Editorial Board
Contact Us
CancerNetwork.com
TargetedOnc.com
OncLive.com
OncNursingNews.com
Terms & Conditions
Privacy
Do Not Sell My Information
Contact Info

2 Commerce Drive
Cranbury, NJ 08512

609-716-7777

© 2025 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.