Oh, the Frustration of Antibodies!

The COVID-19 pandemic has been humbling for the biomedical community, pointing out as much about what we do not know as what we do. Among these learnings are lessons about immune-based measures to prevent or treat a new biothreat. This article summarizes lessons learned from two experimental approaches for passive immunity, convalescent plasma and monoclonal antibody therapy. Two early reports of outcomes, both of which appeared within hours of one another, reveal the importance of blending past learning with a forward-looking approach. These also present cautionary lessons as the world looks to new vaccines to help eradicate this deadly scourge.