From Passive Protection to Lasting Immunity: The Potential Vaccinal Effect of Antiviral Monoclonal Antibodies

Objectives: Monoclonal antibodies are becoming integral to prophylactic, therapeutic, and curative strategies against acute as well as chronic viral infections.While their primary mechanism is neutralization of viral pathogens, growing evidence indicates that their benefits extend beyond this.Notably, administration of antiviral monoclonal antibodies has been associated with the induction of durable, virus-specific immune responses via Fc-Fc receptor interactions that modulate antigen presentation and enhance adaptive immunity, a phenomenon often described as a vaccinal or vaccinelike effect.This review aims to summarize current evidence supporting monoclonal antibody-induced vaccinal effects across multiple viral infections in both preclinical and clinical settings.Methods: Relevant studies were identified through targeted PubMed searches and citation tracking, focusing on antiviral monoclonal antibodies and evidence of lasting immune responses beyond direct viral neutralisation after antiviral monoclonal antibody administration.Results: Across multiple viral infections, antiviral monoclonal antibody administration is associated with Fc-dependent modulation of adaptive immunity, although the strength and durability of these effects vary across preclinical and clinical studies. Conclusions:Available evidence supports a potential vaccinal effect of antiviral monoclonal antibodies mediated through Fc-Fc receptor interactions.Elucidating the underlying mechanisms will be essential for optimizing future monoclonal antibody-based strategies against viral pathogens.