Update on COVID-19 Therapeutics for Solid Organ Transplant Recipients, Including the Omicron Surge
Robin K. Avery
Abstract
Major changes have occurred in therapeutics for coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) infection over the past 12-18 mo, most notably in early outpatient therapy. In most cases, solid organ transplant recipients were not included in the original clinical trials of these agents, so studies of real-world outcomes have been important in building our understanding of their utility. This review examines what is known about clinical outcomes in solid organ transplant recipients with newer therapies. SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies for early treatment or prophylaxis have likely prevented many hospitalizations and deaths. In addition, convalescent plasma, the oral drugs nirmatrelvir/ritonavir and molnupiravir, remdesivir for early outpatient treatment, anti-inflammatory therapy, and investigational virus-specific T-cell therapy will be discussed. Finally, the later consequences of COVID-19, such as secondary infections, long COVID symptoms, and persistent active infection, are identified as areas for future research.