Tixagevimab and Cilgavimab (Evusheld™) Prophylaxis Prevents Breakthrough COVID-19 Infections in Immunosuppressed Population: 6-Month Prospective Study

Background: Persons with neuroinflammatory diseases (pwNID) treated with potent immunosuppressives are at risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes and reduced vaccine seroconversion. We aimed at determining the real-world efficacy of tixagevimab and cilgavimab (Evusheld (TM)) in immunosuppressed pwNID in preventing breakthrough COVID-19 infections. Methods: 31 immunosuppressed pwNID were followed for 6 months after administration of tixagevimab and cilgavimab as a prophylactic COVID-19 medication (January 2022-July 2022). Only pwNID treated with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies and sphingosine-1-phosphate modulators were considered eligible for the study. A control group of 126 immunosuppressed pwNID (38 seropositive and 88 seronegative after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination) were included. Breakthrough COVID-19 infections rate and their severity was determined over the follow-up. Results: The pwNID treated with tixagevimab and cilgavimab had more comorbidities when compared with the total and seronegative pwNID control group (54.8% vs. 30.2% vs. 27.3%, p = 0.02 and p = 0.005, respectively). After a 6-month follow-up, significantly lower numbers of pwNID treated with tixagevimab and cilgavimab had breakthrough COVID-19 when compared with the control pwNID group (6.5% vs. 34.1%, p = 0.002) and seronegative control pwNID group (6.5% vs. 38.6%, p < 0.001). All COVID-19 infections in Evusheld-treated pwNID were mild, whereas 9/43 COVID-19 infections in the control group were moderate/severe. No side effects to tixagevimab and cilgavimab were recorded. Conclusion: In pwNID treated with immunosuppressive therapies, tixagevimab and cilgavimab (Evusheld (TM)) significantly reduced the numbers and severity of breakthrough COVID-19 infections during the Omicron (BA.2-BA.5 variants) wave.

Automated summary

This study aimed to determine the real-world efficacy of tixagevimab and cilgavimab (Evusheld (TM)) in preventing breakthrough COVID-19 infections in immunosuppressed persons with neuroinflammatory diseases (pwNID). The results showed that pwNID treated with tixagevimab and cilgavimab had a significantly lower rate of COVID-19 infections and milder severity compared to the control group.