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Comment by xchip | Hacker News Reader

The problem is to find an antibody that defeats just corona and not other cells, like nerves and other stuff you need

> The antibody known as 47D11 targets the spike protein that gives the new coronavirus a crown-like shape and lets it enter human cells. In the Utrecht experiments, it didn’t just defeat the virus responsible for Covid-19 but also a cousin equipped with similar spike proteins, which causes Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS.

> Monoclonal antibodies are lab-created proteins that resemble naturally occurring versions the body raises to fight off bacteria and viruses. Highly potent, they target exactly one site on a virus. In this case, the scientists used genetically modified mice to produce different antibodies to the spike proteins of coronaviruses. After a subsequent screening process, 47D11 emerged as showing neutralizing activity. Researchers then reformatted that antibody to create a fully human version, according to the paper.

I don't have any biology background - are you saying this targeting might not work?

They are saying that targeting can be not exclusive for example an antibody that targets the spikes might also bind with the receptors they connect too.

Then there is the question of https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antibody-dependent_enhanceme...

The antibody recognizes a particular 3D shape on the virus, called an epitope. There is a chance that a similar shape exists in humans, and using this antibody would cause your immune system to attack itself. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molecular_mimicry

The antibody fits the spike protein like a lock and key. They key might fit other locks in humans with varying degrees of fit, on other cells in the body.

There are two such lock-and-keys on the antibody, the other key fits the immune system cells, that start a cascade that amplifies the immune response.

Even if it is a weak fit for an unintended target, the response can be an issue.

The reason we carefully test things that work in a petri dish is that some of them harm people, and many others don't work in people.

I once saw a good talk that mentioned that -any- drug has a chance to be adversial. Drugs that work on most people might make another sick. This is indeed why there is so much testing and careful indexing side effects.

From the first figure, this one is highly specific to SARS-COV with like no off target effects from looking at the negative control.

The bigger problem is usually the immune system deciding that the antibody itself is a foreign body, and attacking it.

The biggest problem though, is cost. If you don’t have insurance, you may have to add a second mortgage to your house.

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