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The Monoclonal/Omicron Anthology Series Archives

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The Anthology Series Archives

The Monoclonal/Omicron Anthology Series Archives

A Collection of Posts on Monoclonal Antibodies & Omicron

Modern Discontent
Jan 7, 2022
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This post was copied and pasted over from Modern Discontent. If you are interested in Anthology Series posts as they come in or are interested in smaller posts along the way please consider subscribing over there as that is the main Substack. Also, paid-only content will only be available through becoming a paid member on Modern Discontent.


Here’s the collection of my most recent posts on Omicron and the Monoclonal Antibodies we have in circulation as of now. However, I will also include two points that I think are also important. My post on Regeneron, although a bit outdated and a bit jumbled with the information, still explains the importance of understanding the relationship between monoclonals and their development. It’s also important to understand how mutations alter the way that receptors bind to antigens. Although a bit different, the same ideas and concepts can be used to understand the relationship between antibodies, antigens, and antigen mutations.

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Regeneron: A Model for Understanding Antibodies & Immunity

One of my first posts, and a bit brief. The Research & Development put into finding a effective monoclonal antibody candidates underlines a similar process that our bodies undergo in order to develop antibodies to fight infections. Although I am posting my newsletter, I would recommend people read the studies from Regeneron to gain a better understanding and a window into the monoclonal development process.

Modern Discontent
Regeneron: A Model for Understanding Antibodies & Immunity
Due to the goings on in Florida a lot of talk has surfaced once again around monoclonal antibodies. More importantly, the conversation has surrounded the therapeutic Regeneron. Because of the conversation it seems important to discuss monoclonal antibodies, how they operate, and how it relates to our own immune system…
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2 years ago · 2 likes · 2 comments · Modern Discontent

An Overview to Understanding SARS-COV2 Mutations

Although this post specifically examines the effects of SARS-COV2’s spike protein mutations on binding to ACEII receptors, the same principles apply to the interactions between the spike protein and antibodies. Understanding the importance that the side chains of amino acids play in a protein’s structure and function are important to understanding antibody molecular dynamics.

Modern Discontent
An Overview to Understanding SARS-COV2 Mutations
With the ongoing pandemic many media outlets and sources will talk about variants and mutations. Have you ever read any of these pieces and wondered how you can tell if a SARS-COV2 mutation is beneficial to a virus and how it could be beneficial? Here I’ll give an overview of how you can guess how a mutation may be beneficial to SARS-COV2, and provide a …
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2 years ago · 1 like · 3 comments · Modern Discontent


Have Monoclonal Antibodies Lost their Effectiveness? (Review)

Part I: Overview of the Common Antibodies in Circulation

To start the series on monoclonals and Omicron, this post provides a brief history and binding interaction of the 3 most abundantly used monoclonal antibodies; Eli Lilly’s Bamlanivimab & Etesivimab, Regeneron’s Casirivimab & Imdevimab, and GlaxoSmithKline & Vir Biotechnology’s Sotrovimab.

Modern Discontent
Have Monoclonal Antibodies Lost their Effectiveness? (Review)
With a new variants comes renewed concerns about escape mutations and whether vaccines may hold up. Most variants of SARS-COV2 reside within the spike protein. It’s the antigen most responsible for binding to the ACEII receptor, so it should come as no surprise that the spike protein will bear most of the mutations…
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a year ago · 9 likes · Modern Discontent

Part II: Examining Molecular Modeling and Nonclinical Studies

A more science heavy post, this post looks at the evidence available so far to compare the effectiveness of monoclonal antibodies against the Omicron Variant. All of the studies were done in a nonclinical setting which don’t provide the same real-world evidence we would need to understand their actual effectiveness. Nonetheless, the results of these studies don’t bode well for many of the monoclonals in circulation right now.

Modern Discontent
Have Monoclonal Antibodies Lost their Effectiveness? (Review)
Molecular Modeling and Monoclonals Molecular modeling can be a touchy subject. If nonclinical, in vitro assays raise concerns about the actual real-world, human effects of therapeutics then molecular models should garner the most scrutiny, as their predictive models depend on tons of variables that may be manipulated by their modeler and introduce plenty…
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a year ago · 4 likes · 10 comments · Modern Discontent

Part III: Concluding Remarks and Citations

There’s a lot of information going around about different actions being taken in the face of Omicron. Some hospitals are trying to figure out how to properly ration their limited supply of monoclonals. Other areas have stopped prescribing monoclonals full stop with the belief that none of them are effective anymore. Instead of doctors acting without proper evidence, doctors and healthcare officials need to approach this new variant with a sense of rationality.

Modern Discontent
Have Monoclonal Antibodies Lost their Effectiveness? (Review)
Monoclonals in the Era of Omicron The questions as to whether monoclonal therapeutics will hold up to Omicron has caused a lot of controversies. In Dr. Malone’s recent interview with Joe Rogan, several questions were raised about the use of monoclonals. As Dr. Malone put it, many doctors are seeing that their hospitalizations are still being dominated by…
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a year ago · 5 likes · 5 comments · Modern Discontent

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