Review of the Safety, Efficacy and Tolerability of Palivizumab in the Prevention of Severe Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Disease

Shaun O'Hagan; Niamh Galway; Michael D Shields; Peter Mallett; Helen E Groves

doi:10.2147/DHPS.S348727

Review of the Safety, Efficacy and Tolerability of Palivizumab in the Prevention of Severe Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Disease

Drug Healthc Patient Saf. 2023 Sep 11:15:103-112. doi: 10.2147/DHPS.S348727. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Shaun O'Hagan^{1

2}, Niamh Galway³, Michael D Shields^{3

4}, Peter Mallett^{1

4}, Helen E Groves^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Paediatric Infectious Diseases, Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
² Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
³ Paediatric Respiratory Medicine, Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
⁴ Centre for Medical Education, Queen's University Belfast School of Medicine, Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Abstract

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a major global cause of childhood morbidity and mortality. Palivizumab, a monoclonal antibody that provides passive immunity against RSV, is currently licensed for prophylactic use in specific "high-risk" populations, including congenital heart disease, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and prematurity. Available research suggests palivizumab use in these high-risk populations can lead to a reduction in RSV-related hospitalization. However, palivizumab has not been demonstrated to reduce mortality, adverse events or length of hospital stay related to RSV. In this article, we review the management of RSV, indications for palivizumab prophylaxis, the safety, cost-effectiveness and efficacy of this preventative medication, and emerging therapeutics that could revolutionize future prevention of this significant pathogen.

Keywords: RSV; efficacy; future directions; palivizumab; safety.

Publication types

Review