A recent study published in Emerging Microbes & Infections introduces C10, a pan-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibody (mAb) that offers a novel approach to combating COVID-19. Unlike traditional neutralizing antibodies, C10 targets infected lung epithelial cells and mediates their elimination via NK cell-driven antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC).
C10 demonstrates broad reactivity against variants of concern (VOCs), including Omicron subvariants. While it does not neutralize the virus directly, it significantly reduces viral titers by eliminating infected cells. Researchers also engineered C10-based CAR-T cells, which showed strong cytotoxic activity against infected cells, providing a proof-of-concept for CAR-T therapy in infectious diseases.
These findings offer a potential breakthrough for immunocompromised patients and expand the scope of antibody and cell-based therapies for SARS-CoV-2. As the virus evolves, targeting infected cells rather than viral particles may provide a more effective and long-lasting therapeutic strategy.
