Pediatric Antiretroviral Therapy

Thirteen-year viral suppression and immunologic recovery of LPV/r-based regimens in pediatric HIV treatment: a multicenter cohort study in resource-constrained settings of China

Background

Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) in children remains challenging due to resource-constrained settings. We conducted a 13-year, prospective, multicenter cohort study on the effectiveness and safety of LPV/r-based regimens in ART-naive and ART-experienced children.

Methods

From January 2008 to May 2021, children living with HIV-1 were recruited with LPV/r-based regimens from 8 clinical research sites in 6 provinces in China. Effectiveness outcomes were virologic failure (defined as at least two consecutive measurements of VL > 200 copies/mL after 6 months of ART) and immune response (defined as CD4% recovered to more than 25% after 12 months of treatment). The safety outcomes were treatment-related grade 2-4 adverse events and abnormal laboratory test results.

Results

A total of 345 ART-naïve children and 113 ART-experienced children were included in this cohort study. The median follow-up time was 7.3 (IQR 5.5-10.5) years. The incidence density of virologic failure was 4.1 (95% CI 3.3-4.9) per 100 person-years in ART-naïve children and 5.0 (95% CI 3.5-6.5) per 100 person-years in ART-experienced children. Kaplan Meyer (KM) curve analysis showed children with ART experience were at a higher risk of virologic failure (p < 0.05). The risk factors of virologic failure in ART-naïve children were clinic setting in rural hospitals (aHR = 2.251, 1.108-4.575), annual missed dose times >5 days of LPV intake (aHR = 1.889, 1.004-3.554); The risk factor of virologic failure in ART-experienced children was missed dose times >5 days (aHR = 2.689, 1.299-5.604) and mother as caregivers for ART administration (aHR = 0.475, 0.238-0.948). However, during long-term treatment, viral suppression rates between ART-naïve and ART-experienced children remained similar. No significant differences were observed in the immune response, treatment-related grade 2-4 events, and abnormal laboratory test results between ART-naïve children and ART-experienced children.

Conclusion

Our research underscores that with consistent, long-term treatment of LPV/r-based regimens, ART-experienced children can achieve therapeutic outcomes comparable to ART-naïve children. It provides crucial insights on LPV/r-based regimens in pediatric HIV treatment, especially in resource-limited settings where high-cost Integrase Strand Transfer Inhibitors (INSTs) are inaccessible. This evidence-based understanding provides an essential addition to the global therapeutic strategies for pediatric HIV treatment.

The Suboptimal Pediatric HIV Viral Load Cascade: Multidistrict Cohort Study Among Children Taking Antiretroviral Therapy in Lesotho, Southern Africa

BACKGROUND

Children living with HIV and taking antiretroviral therapy (ART) are a priority group for routine viral load (VL) monitoring. As per Lesotho guidelines, a VL ≥1000 copies/mL ("unsuppressed") should trigger adherence counseling and a follow-up VL; 2 consecutive unsuppressed VLs ("virologic failure") qualify for switching to second-line ART, with some exceptions. Here, we describe the pediatric VL cascade in Lesotho.

METHODS

In a prospective open cohort study comprising routine VL results from 22 clinics in Lesotho, we assessed outcomes along the VL cascade for children who had at least 1 VL test from January 2016 through June 2020. Data were censored on February 10, 2021.

RESULTS

In total, 1215 children received 5443 VL tests. The median age was 10 years (interquartile range 7-13) and 627/1215 (52%) were female; 362/1215 (30%) had at least 1 unsuppressed VL. A follow-up VL was available for 325/362 (90%), although only for 159/362 (44%) within 6 months of the first unsuppressed VL. Of those with a follow-up VL, 172/329 (53%) had virologic failure and 123/329 (37%) qualified for switching to second-line ART. Of these, 55/123 (45%) were ever switched, although only 9/123 (7%) were switched within 12 weeks of the follow-up VL. Delays were more pronounced in rural facilities. Overall, 100/362 (28%) children with an unsuppressed VL received a timely follow-up VL and, if required, a timely regimen switch.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite access to VL monitoring, clinical management was suboptimal. HIV programs should prioritize timely clinical action to maximize the benefits of VL monitoring.

Real-World Analysis of Survival and Clinical Events in a Cohort of Italian Perinatally HIV-1 Infected Children From 2001 to 2018

Background: Combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) has been associated with a steep decrease in mortality and morbidity in HIV-1 infected children. New antiretroviral molecules and drug classes have been developed and the management of HIV-infected children has improved, but recent data on survival are limited. Methods: An observational retrospective study investigating changes in mortality and morbidity was conducted on 1,091 perinatally HIV-1 infected children enrolled in the Italian Register for HIV Infection in Children and followed-up from 2001 to 2018. Results: Three hundred and fifty-four (32%) AIDS events and 26 (2%) deaths occurred overtime. Mortality rates decreased from 0.4/100 person-years in 2001-2006 to 0.27/100 person-years in 2007-2012 and 0.07/100 person-years in 2013-2018. Notably, 92% of the dead children were born in Italy, but only 50% were followed-up since birth or within three months of age. Seventy three percent of children had started cART at age ≥6 months; 23% were treated for <30 days before death. B and C clinical events progressively decreased (P < 0.0001). Opportunistic infections significantly decreased over time, but still were the most common events in all the periods (6.76/100 person-years in 2013-2018). In the last period, severe bacterial infections were the most common ones. Cancer rates were 0.07/100; 0.17/100; 0.07/100 person-years in the three periods, respectively. Conclusions: Progressive reductions both in mortality and in rates of class B and C clinical events and OIs have been observed during the cART era. However, deaths were still registered; more than half of dead children were enrolled after birth and had belatedly started cART.