Omicron Subvariants Frank the Efficacy of Vaccines and Antibody Therapy

Omicron subvariants are found to reduce the effectiveness of mRNA vaccines and antibody therapy as per a new study at Columbia University and the University of Hong Kong, published in the journal Nature.

The study showed that only one currently authorized antibody treatment retains its activity against all Omicron subvariants.

New Omicron Sub-Variant Spreading Faster in the U.S
Omicron subvariant, known as BA.2, is spreading 30 percent more easily than BA.1, say experts.

‘Effectiveness of mRNA vaccines and antibody therapy is found to be reduced against all three subvariants of Omicron.’

Tweet it Now

Omicron is a highly transmissible variant of SARS-CoV-2 that has caused the biggest surge in Covid cases so far in many countries.

Researchers have identified three subvariants of Omicron that share 21 mutations in the spike protein and named them BA.1, BA.1.1, and BA.2.

The findings showed that in neutralisation experiments, all three variants exhibited a strong resistance to most of the monoclonal antibodies tested.

WHO Says Omicron Sibling BA.2 Remains Variant of Concern
In European and Asian countries existence of the BA.2 subtype of the Omicron variant should continue to be considered a variant of concern.

Of 19 antibodies, 17 were ineffective against the BA.2 subvariant. The researchers found that bebtelovimab, the latest monoclonal antibody to receive FDA Emergency Use Authorisation, is the only currently available antibody therapy that can adequately treat all three Omicron subvariants.

Artificial Intelligence To Study The New Omicron Variant
New vaccines and antibody therapies might be needed as scientists find the aid of artificial intelligence for the new omicron variant.

"The emergence of new variants is narrowing our treatment options and challenging the effectiveness of our current vaccines," said David D. Ho, Professor of Medicine at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons.

"It is critical that we don't relax prematurely and continue to devise novel strategies to contain this ever-evolving pathogen," he added.

In laboratory experiments, the team studied the ability of 19 monoclonal antibodies and the sera from individuals immunized with one of two available mRNA vaccines to neutralize the three known subvariants of Omicron.

The researchers observed a loss of neutralization activity against BA.1.1 and BA.2 in blood samples from individuals who had received two mRNA shots.

However, the decline in neutralization was less prominent in blood samples from individuals who had received three mRNA shots, reinforcing the importance of booster shots for sustaining immunity.

When Omicron was first identified in November 2021, the dominant variant was BA.1.

Since December, BA.1 cases have declined, while BA1.1 cases have risen and now make up around 40 percent of all Omicron cases sequenced globally. The BA.2 subvariant currently represents only 10 percent of all Omicron cases globally but is increasing in prevalence.

Source-IANS