A New COVID-19 Protection Option Is Now Available For People With B-cell Lymphoma

A recent press release from Invivyd shared that pemivibart (Pemgarda, Invivyd), an investigational monoclonal antibody, is now included in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology for B-cell lymphomas. This means that doctors now have expert guidance that includes pemivibart as a way to help prevent COVID-19 in people with B-cell blood cancers.

People with B-cell lymphoma often have weakened immune systems, either from the cancer itself or its treatments. This makes the body more prone to infections, and some vaccines may not have the expected protection. Having additional tools to help prevent infections is important because it can help patients avoid long or unnecessary hospital stays.

People with a weakened immune system can benefit from this treatment

Before this latest update, the Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) had already recommended pemivibart in its August 2024 COVID-19 guidelines. The recommendation was for adults and adolescents aged 12 and older who are immunocompromised as a way to prevent infection before contact with the virus.

This is especially relevant for those who may not have a strong response to COVID-19 vaccines due to their immune system being compromised. Pre-exposure prevention offers another way to stay protected when common community virus levels are high.

How adding a new option to the guidelines helps patients

This inclusion could support care in several ways. Dr. George Yaghmour explained that treating B-cell lymphoma is already complex, and COVID-19 adds another layer of risk. Adding pemivibart to the treatment guidelines gives doctors another option to consider when working to prevent serious illness in their patients.

This helps patients stay healthier overall, continue to receive their cancer treatments without interruptions, and avoid hospital visits due to COVID-19 complications.

Future steps for infection prevention

Invivyd stated that this recognition helps highlight the importance of protecting people with B-cell lymphomas and similar conditions. Since COVID-19 continues to circulate and new surges are expected seasonally, preventive options like pemivibart can support long-term care planning for immunocompromised patients.

It’s important to note that pemivibart is still being studied and has not yet received full approval. However, its addition to respected medical guidelines shows it is viewed as a potentially useful option for those most at risk.

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