Treatment simplification to atazanavir/ritonavir + lamivudine versus maintenance of atazanavir/ritonavir + two NRTIs in virologically suppressed HIV-1-infected patients: 48 week results from a randomized trial (ATLAS-M)

Two-Drug Regimen Containing Darunavir: Metabolic Evaluation of an Old Dual Therapy

Regimens containing darunavir are one of the first one with two drugs that demonstrated good efficacy as a simplification strategy. We wanted to describe the characteristics of patients followed in our center on a dual therapy regimen containing darunavir evaluating the metabolic aspects during follow-ups. We collected data from 208 patients switching to lamivudine plus darunavir with either ritonavir or cobicistat between 2010 and 2019. In all patients we found an increase in low-density lipoprotein (LDL), with no rising in creatinine, total cholesterol, or triglycerides. Twenty-five patients reached 120 weeks of follow-up. In these patients, no significant metabolic changes were described without concomitant treatment with drugs for dyslipidemia. These regimens seem to be more tolerable in metabolic profile compared with the data concerning three-drug therapies, leading only to a slight increase in LDL. The main reason for discontinuation was for a single-tablet therapy. None of the patients started treatment for dyslipidemia.

Two-Drug Regimens for HIV-Current Evidence, Research Gaps and Future Challenges

During the last 30 years, antiretroviral treatment (ART) for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has been continuously evolving. Since 1996, three-drug regimens (3DR) have been standard-of-care for HIV treatment and are based on a protease inhibitor (PI) or a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) plus two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). The effectiveness of first-generation 3DRs allowed a dramatic increase in the life expectancy of HIV-infected patients, although it was associated with several side effects and ART-related toxicities. The development of novel two-drug regimens (2DRs) started in the mid-2000s in order to minimize side effects, reduce drug-drug interactions and improve treatment compliance. Several clinical trials compared 2DRs and 3DRs in treatment-naïve and treatment-experienced patients and showed the non-inferiority of 2DRs in terms of efficacy, which led to 2DRs being used as first-line treatment in several clinical scenarios, according to HIV clinical guidelines. In this review, we summarize the current evidence, research gaps and future prospects of 2DRs.

HIV Treatment with the Two-Drug Regimen Dolutegravir Plus Lamivudine in Real-world Clinical Practice: A Systematic Literature Review

The two-drug regimen dolutegravir plus lamivudine demonstrated durable efficacy for up to 3 years in phase III studies and a high barrier to resistance in treatment-naive and virologically suppressed people with HIV (PWH). This systematic literature review summarizes real-world evidence evaluating effectiveness and safety of dolutegravir plus lamivudine. We searched Ovid MEDLINE®, Embase®, PubMed, Cochrane library, and relevant international conference proceedings from 2013 to 2020. Qualitative synthesis of virologic suppression at Week 48, treatment-emergent resistance, discontinuation rates, and comorbidities was undertaken, with no statistical analyses conducted. Linked publications and potential for duplication in reporting of outcomes for cohorts and populations were identified, and the publication reporting the highest number of PWH receiving dolutegravir plus lamivudine was included in the analysis. Thirty-four studies reporting on cohorts of PWH not suspected to be linked or to include duplicate data receiving dolutegravir plus lamivudine were identified (N = 5017). Of 3744 virologically suppressed PWH who switched to dolutegravir plus lamivudine, 603 (16%) reported history of virologic failure. Nineteen studies included effectiveness data (n = 3558), four of which included data from treatment-naive PWH (n = 69). In studies with > 100 PWH, high rates of virologic suppression (Week 48, 97-100%) were maintained with dolutegravir plus lamivudine, with low rates of virologic failure (0-3.3 per 100 person-years of follow-up); one instance of emergent integrase strand transfer inhibitor resistance was reported in a complex treatment-experienced individual. Rates of discontinuation due to adverse events were low and consistent with previously observed trial data. Dolutegravir plus lamivudine minimally impacted renal function and had minimal impact on or improved lipid profiles and bone mineral density. This systematic review demonstrates that effectiveness and safety of dolutegravir plus lamivudine in clinical practice support data from randomized controlled trials with regard to high rates of virologic response, low rates of discontinuation, and a high barrier to resistance.

Real-World Experience with Dolutegravir-Based Two-Drug Regimens

Background

Dolutegravir-based 2-drug regimens (DTG 2DRs) are now accepted as alternatives to 3-drug regimens for HIV antiretroviral treatment (ART); however, literature on physician drivers for prescribing DTG 2DR is sparse. This study evaluated treatment patterns of DTG 2DR components in clinical practice in the US.

Methods

This was a retrospective chart review in adult patients in care in the US with HIV-1 who received DTG 2DR prior to July 31, 2017, with follow-up until January 30, 2018. Primary objectives of the study were to determine reasons for patients initiating DTG 2DR and to describe the demographics and clinical characteristics. All analyses were descriptive.

Results

Overall, 278 patients received DTG 2DR (male: 70%; mean age: 56 years). Most patients were treatment experienced (98%), with a mean 13.5 years of prior ART. DTG was most commonly paired with darunavir (55%) or rilpivirine (27%). The most common physician-reported reasons for initiating DTG 2DR were treatment simplification/streamlining (30%) and avoidance of potential long-term toxicities (20%). Before starting DTG 2DR, 42% of patients were virologically suppressed; of those, 95% maintained suppression while on DTG 2DR. Of the 50% of patients with detectable viral load before DTG 2DR, 79% achieved and maintained virologic suppression on DTG 2DR during follow-up. There were no virologic data for 8% of patients prior to starting DTG 2DR. Only 15 patients discontinued DTG 2DR, of whom 4 (27%) discontinued due to virologic failure.

Conclusions

Prior to commercial availability of the single-tablet 2DRs, DTG 2DR components were primarily used in treatment-experienced patients for treatment simplification and avoidance of long-term toxicities. Many of these patients achieved and maintained virologic suppression, with low discontinuation rates.

Two's a Company, Three's a Crowd: A Review of Initiating or Switching to a Two-Drug Antiretroviral Regimen in Treatment-Naïve and Treatment-Experienced Patients Living with HIV-1

INTRODUCTION

As HIV has become a manageable chronic condition, a renewed and increased interest in challenging traditional three-drug HIV therapies and moving toward two-drug regimens (2DR) for initial or maintenance treatment in people living with HIV (PLWH) has developed. As PLWH are living longer, continual advancements in antiretroviral regimens have been a focus to provide optimal life-long therapy options. Although early studies may have shown poor outcomes in virologic suppression with 2DR, newer studies and treatment options have emerged to show promise in the management of HIV. The purpose of this review is to evaluate current literature and assess the efficacy of two-drug (2DR) antiretroviral therapy in treatment-naïve and -experienced people living with HIV.

METHODS

A systematic search was performed between January 2009 to January 2020, using EMBASE, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, and bibliographies. Combinations of the following search terms were used: HIV-1 infection, antiretroviral therapy, dual therapy, two-drug regimen, two-drug therapy, two-drug regimen, and 2DR. Included studies were those in the adult population with at least one active comparator, outcomes assessing HIV-1 RNA viral load while on treatment, and written in English.

RESULTS

Thirty-three studies were included, 13 where 2DRs were evaluated as initial therapy (3 studies with extension data) and 15 where 2DRs were evaluated as maintenance or switch therapy (2 studies with extension data).

CONCLUSION

Although 2DRs may not be appropriate in all patient populations, they are being utilized more frequently and have the potential to reduce costs, adverse effects, and drug interactions.

Week 48 Resistance Analyses of the Once-Daily, Single-Tablet Regimen Darunavir/Cobicistat/Emtricitabine/Tenofovir Alafenamide (D/C/F/TAF) in Adults Living with HIV-1 from the Phase III Randomized AMBER and EMERALD Trials

Darunavir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (D/C/F/TAF) 800/150/200/10 mg is being investigated in two Phase III trials, AMBER (NCT02431247; treatment-naive adults) and EMERALD (NCT02269917; treatment-experienced, virologically suppressed adults). Week 48 AMBER and EMERALD resistance analyses are presented. Postbaseline samples for genotyping/phenotyping were analyzed from protocol-defined virologic failures (PDVFs) with viral load (VL) ≥400 copies/mL at failure/later time points. Post hoc analyses were deep sequencing in AMBER, and HIV-1 proviral DNA from baseline samples (VL <50 copies/mL) in EMERALD. Through week 48 across both studies, no darunavir, primary PI, or tenofovir resistance-associated mutations (RAMs) were observed in HIV-1 viruses of 1,125 participants receiving D/C/F/TAF or 629 receiving boosted darunavir plus emtricitabine/tenofovir-disoproxil-fumarate. In AMBER, the nucleos(t)ide analog reverse transcriptase inhibitor (N(t)RTI) RAM M184I/V was identified in HIV-1 of one participant during D/C/F/TAF treatment. M184V was detected pretreatment as a minority variant (9%). In EMERALD, in participants with prior VF and genoarchive data (N = 140; 98 D/C/F/TAF and 42 control), 4% had viruses with darunavir RAMs, 38% with emtricitabine RAMs, mainly at position 184 (41% not fully susceptible to emtricitabine), 4% with tenofovir RAMs, and 21% ≥ 3 thymidine analog-associated mutations (24% not fully susceptible to tenofovir) detected at screening. All achieved VL <50 copies/mL at week 48 or prior discontinuation. D/C/F/TAF has a high genetic barrier to resistance; no darunavir, primary PI, or tenofovir RAMs were observed through 48 weeks in AMBER and EMERALD. Only one postbaseline M184I/V RAM was observed in HIV-1 of an AMBER participant. In EMERALD, baseline archived RAMs to darunavir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir in participants with prior VF did not preclude virologic response.

Perspectives on the Barrier to Resistance for Dolutegravir + Lamivudine, a Two-Drug Antiretroviral Therapy for HIV-1 Infection

In HIV-1-infected patients, virological failure can occur as a consequence of the mutations that accumulate in the viral genome that allow replication to continue in the presence of antiretrovirals (ARVs). The development of treatment-emergent resistance to an ARV can limit a patient's options for future therapy, prompting the need for ARV regimens that are resilient to the emergence of resistance. The genetic barrier to resistance refers to the number of mutations in an ARV's therapeutic target that are required to confer a clinically meaningful loss of susceptibility to the drug. The emergence of resistance can be affected by pharmacological aspects of the ARV, including its structure, inhibitory quotient, therapeutic index, and pharmacokinetic characteristics. Dolutegravir (DTG) has demonstrated a high barrier to resistance, including when used in a two-drug regimen (2DR) with lamivudine (3TC). In the GEMINI-1 and GEMINI-2 studies, DTG +3TC was noninferior to DTG + emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate in treatment-naive participants, with similar proportions achieving HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL through 96 weeks. Furthermore, in the TANGO study, virological suppression was maintained at 48 weeks after switching to DTG +3TC from a tenofovir alafenamide (TAF)-based regimen compared with continuing a TAF-based regimen. Most other 2DRs with successful outcomes compared with three-drug regimens have been based on protease inhibitors (PIs); however, this class is associated with adverse metabolic effects and drug–drug interactions. In this review, we discuss the barrier to resistance in the context of a 2DR in which a boosted PI is replaced with DTG +3TC.

Two-drug antiretroviral regimens: an assessment of virologic response and durability among treatment-experienced persons living with HIV in the OPERA® Observational Database

INTRODUCTION

Two-drug regimens (2-DR) have the potential to be a viable solution to the challenges of treatment complexity, cost, adverse effects and contraindications. We sought to describe the real-world use and effectiveness of 2-DR among persons living with HIV (PLHIV) in the United States.

METHODS

We analysed data for 10,190 treatment-experienced patients from the OPERA® Observational Database initiating a new 2-DR or three-drug regimen (3-DR) between 1 January 2010 and 30 June 2016. Multivariate Cox Proportional Hazards models were used to estimate the association among 2-DR or 3-DR initiation and virologic suppression (viral load (VL) <50 copies/mL), virologic failure (2 VLs > 200 copies/mL or 1 VL > 200 copies/mL + discontinuation) or regimen discontinuation.

RESULTS

Patients initiating a 2-DR (n = 1337, 13%) were older, and more likely to have a lower CD4 count, a history of AIDS and comorbid conditions than patients initiating a 3-DR. There was no difference between groups in time to virologic suppression (aHR: 1.00 (95% CI: 0.88, 1.13)) among viraemic patients (baseline VL ≥ 50 copies/mL, n = 4180), or time to virologic failure (aHR: 1.15 (95% CI: 0.90, 1.48)) among virologically stable patients (baseline VL < 50 copies/mL, n = 6010). However, time to discontinuation was shorter following 2-DR than 3-DR initiation (aHR: 1.51 (95% CI: 1.41, 1.61)).

CONCLUSIONS

In this large cohort of treatment-experienced patients, 2-DR prescriptions were common and more frequent among patients with significant comorbidity. Virologic response was similar, but duration of use was shorter with a 2-DR than a 3-DR, suggesting that 2-DRs may be a virologically effective treatment strategy for treatment-experienced PLHIV with existing comorbidities.

Dolutegravir Plus Lamivudine Maintains Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 Suppression Through Week 48 in a Pilot Randomized Trial

Clinical Trials Registration

NCT02263326.

Lipid profile changings after switching from rilpivirine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine to rilpivirine/tenofovir alafenamide/emtricitabine: Different effects in patients with or without baseline hypercholesterolemia

Tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) has similar efficacy compared to tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), but a less favorable effect on lipids. Aim of this retrospective multicentre study was to evaluate the impact on lipids of switching from rilpivirine (RPV)/ emtricitabine (FTC)/TDF to RPV/FTC/TAF in a cohort of HIV-1 infected patients. Total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoproteins (HDL) and low density lipoproteins (LDL) were compared at the moment of the switch and at the first following evaluation, by using paired t-test. Overall, 573 patients were considered, 99% with HIV-RNA <50 copies/ml, with mean age of 49.7 (±0.4) years and median 13.4 (6.9-22.5) years of HIV infection. In the study population with available data (431/573, 75%), mean TC changed from 173 ±1.7 to 188 ±1.8 mg/dl; mean HDL from 46 ±0.7 to 51± 0.7 mg/dl; mean LDL from 111 ±1.5 to 120 ±1.8 mg/dl (p<0.0001 for all). Neither LDL/HDL nor TC/HDL ratio changed significantly, with LDL/HDL from 2.6 ±0.5 to 2.5 ±0.5 (p = 0.12) and TC/HDL from 4.0 ±0.6 to 3.9 ±0.6 (p = 0.11). In patients with baseline diagnosis of hypercholesterolemia (TC>200 mg/dl, N = 87), there was no significant change in TC (224 ±2.2 to 228 ±3.4 mg/dl, p = 0.286) or LDL (150±2.5 to 151±3.2 mg/dl, p = 0.751), while HDL increased from 51 ±1.6 to 55 ±1.7 mg/dl (p<0.0001) and both LDL/HDL and TC/HDL ratio decreased significantly, from 3.2±0.1 to 3.0 ±0.1 (p = 0.025) and from 4.7±0.1 to 4.4 ±0.1 (p = 0.004). In this real life study, a slight increase in lipids was found after switching from RPV/FTC/TDF to RPV/FTC/TAF, but these results were not confirmed in people with hypercholesterolemia, in which lipids did not change and LDL/HDL and TC/HDL ratio decreased.

HIV-1 and Compromised Adult Neurogenesis: Emerging Evidence for a New Paradigm of HAND Persistence

The face of the HIV-1/AIDS pandemic has changed significantly thanks to the development of antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens. Unfortunately, several HIV-associated comorbidities continuously occur in the clinical population, most notably HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). While many molecular and cellular mechanisms have been characterized by describing HAND pathology (specifically neuroinflammatory insults and oxidative stress) in the ART era, compromised adult neurogenesis is emerging as a potential new mechanism. Neurogenesis is a dynamic process that generates new neurons and glial cells from neural stem cells (NSCs) and neural progenitor cells (NPCs) in specific areas of the brain. There are increasing observations that HIV-1 can productively and non-productively infect NSCs and NPCs. HIV-1 proteins and/or secondary immune/inflammatory responses impair the initial differentiation process of NSCs to NPCs, restrict neuronal lineage differentiation, and aberrantly promote astrocytic lineage differentiation. Recent studies with HIV-1 transgenic animal models demonstrate varying degrees of adult neurogenic deficits, which correlate with milder to moderate forms of neurocognitive impairments. The neurogenic dysfunction underlying HAND highlights the importance of developing potential therapeutics to restore adult neurogenic homeostasis in HIV-1 patients.

New Strategies of ARV: the Road to Simplification

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Simplification of antiretroviral therapy is a strategy aiming to reduce pill burden, drug interactions, and toxicity. This review focuses on the most recent and important studies evaluating a reduction on the number of drugs for HIV treatment, both in naive and virologically suppressed patients.

RECENT FINDINGS

Interesting studies have been performed in the past years testing dual therapy and monotherapy, with variable rates of virological control. Novel therapeutics like immunotherapy or long-acting antiretrovirals can also be considered for simplification. Reducing the number of drugs for HIV treatment can be an option for selected patients. Current available evidence favors dual therapy over monotherapy. Future research should seek to identify the best candidates for simplification.

Twenty-Five Years of Lamivudine: Current and Future Use for the Treatment of HIV-1 Infection

Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text.

Innovation in medicine is a dynamic, complex, and continuous process that cannot be isolated to a single moment in time. Anniversaries offer opportunities to commemorate crucial discoveries of modern medicine, such as penicillin (1928), polio vaccination (inactivated, 1955; oral, 1961), the surface antigen of the hepatitis B virus (1967), monoclonal antibodies (1975), and the first HIV antiretroviral drugs (zidovudine, 1987). The advent of antiretroviral drugs has had a profound effect on the progress of the epidemiology of HIV infection, transforming a terminal, irreversible disease that caused a global health crisis into a treatable but chronic disease. This result has been driven by the success of antiretroviral drug combinations that include nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors such as lamivudine. Lamivudine, an L-enantiomeric analog of cytosine, potently affects HIV replication by inhibiting viral reverse transcriptase enzymes at concentrations without toxicity against human polymerases. Although lamivudine was approved more than 2 decades ago, it remains a key component of first-line therapy for HIV because of its virological efficacy and ability to be partnered with other antiretroviral agents in traditional and novel combination therapies. The prominence of lamivudine in HIV therapy is highlighted by its incorporation in recent innovative treatment strategies, such as single-tablet regimens that address challenges associated with regimen complexity and treatment adherence and 2-drug regimens being developed to mitigate cumulative drug exposure and toxicities. This review summarizes how the pharmacologic and virologic properties of lamivudine have solidified its role in contemporary HIV therapy and continue to support its use in emerging therapies.

Efficacy and tolerability of lamivudine plus dolutegravir compared with lamivudine plus boosted PIs in HIV-1 positive individuals with virologic suppression: a retrospective study from the clinical practice

BACKGROUND

Direct comparisons between lamivudine plus bPIs and lamivudine plus dolutegravir as maintenance strategies in virologically-suppressed HIV positive patients are lacking.

METHODS

Time to treatment discontinuation (TD) and virological failure (VF) were compared in a cohort of HIV+ patients on a virologically-effective ART starting lamivudine with either darunavir/r, atazanavir/r or dolutegravir. Changes in laboratory parameters were also evaluated.

RESULTS

Four-hundred-ninety-four patients were analyzed (170 switching to darunavir/r, 141 to atazanavir/r, 183 to dolutegravir): median age was 49 years, with 8 years since ART start. Groups differed for age, HIV-risk factor, time since HIV-diagnosis and on ART, previous therapy and reasons for switching. Estimated proportions free from TD at week 48 and 96 were 79.8 and 48.3% of patients with darunavir/r, 87.0 and 70.9% with atazanavir/r, and 88.2 and 82.6% with dolutegravir, respectively (p < 0.001). Calendar years, HIV-risk factor, higher baseline cholesterol and an InSTI-based previous regimen predicted TD, whereas lamivudine+dolutegravir therapy and previous tenofovir use were protective. VF was the cause of TD in 6/123 cases with darunavir/r, 4/97 with atazanavir/r and 3/21 with dolutegravir. Other main reasons for TD were: toxicity (43.1% with darunavir/r, 39.2% with atazanavir/r, 52.4% with dolutegravir), further simplification (36.6% with darunavir/r, 30.9% with atazanavir/r, 14.3% with dolutegravir). Incidence of VF did not differ among study groups (p = 0.747). No factor could predict VF. Lipid profile improved in the dolutegravir group, whereas renal function improved in the bPIs groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In real practice, a switch to lamivudine+dolutegravir showed similar efficacy but longer durability than a switch to lamivudine+bPIs.

Optimizing Antiretroviral Therapy in Treatment-Experienced Patients Living with HIV: A Critical Review of Switch and Simplification Strategies. An Opinion of the HIV Practice and Research Network of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy

Simplifying or switching antiretroviral therapy (ART) in treatment-experienced people living with HIV (PLWH) may improve adherence, tolerability, toxicities, and/or drug-drug interactions. The purpose of this review is to critically evaluate the literature for efficacy and safety associated with switching or simplifying ART in treatment-experienced PLWH. A systematic literature search using MEDLINE was performed from January 1, 2010 to April 30, 2018. References within articles of interest, the Department of Health and Human Services guidelines, and conference abstracts were also reviewed. Switch/simplification strategies were categorized as those supported by high-level clinical evidence and those with emerging data. Rates of virologic suppression were noninferior for several switch/simplification strategies when compared to baseline ART. Potential for reducing adverse events was also seen. Additional evidence for some strategies, including most 2-drug regimens, is needed before they can be recommended.

Two-drug regimens for treatment of naïve HIV-1 infection and as maintenance therapy

As people live longer with HIV infection, there has been a resurgence of interest in challenging the use of three-drug therapy, including two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors plus a third drug, as initial treatment of HIV infection or for maintenance therapy in virologically suppressed individuals. Although initial studies showed poor efficacy and/or substantial toxicity, more recent regimens have held greater promise. The SWORD-1 and -2 studies were pivotal trials of dolutegravir plus rilpivirine as maintenance therapy in virologically suppressed patients with no history of drug resistance, leading to the US Food and Drug Administration’s approval of the regimen as a small, single tablet. More recently, the GEMINI-1 and -2 studies demonstrated that dolutegravir plus lamivudine is as safe and effective as the same regimen when combined with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate in treatment-naïve individuals. Together, these and other studies of novel two-drug regimens offer the potential for improved tolerability and simplicity, as well as a reduction in cost. We will review historical and recent trials of two-drug therapy for the treatment of HIV-1 infection.

No difference in effectiveness of treatment simplification to boosted or unboosted atazanavir plus lamivudine in virologically suppressed in HIV-1-infected patients

Background

Simplification strategies of antiretroviral treatment represent effective tools for the reduction of drug-induced toxicity, resistance mutations in case of virological failure and costs.

Objectives

To assess the effectiveness of simplification to atazanavir/ritonavir (ATV_rtv) or unboosted atazanavir (ATV₄₀₀) plus lamivudine, and if low plasma or intracellular ATV C_trough influence virological outcomes.

Methods

Ambispective observational study in patients with undetectable HIV-RNA who were switched to ATV_rtv or ATV₄₀₀ plus lamivudine once daily. Previous virological failures (VF) were allowed if the resistance tests showed major resistance mutation neither to ATV nor to lamivudine. VF was defined as two consecutive plasma HIV-RNA >200 copies/mL. Effectiveness was assessed by intention-to-treat and on-treatment analyses. Plasma and intracellular ATV C_trough were measured by LC-MS/MS.

Result

A total of 246 patients were included. At week 48, the Kaplan–Meier estimation of efficacy within the ATV_rtv and ATV₄₀₀ groups were 85.9% [95% confidence interval, (CI₉₅), 80.3–91.4%] versus 87.6% (CI₉₅, 80.1–94.1%) by intention-to-treat analysis (p = 0.684), and 97.7% (CI₉₅, 95.2–100%) versus 98.8% (CI₉₅, 97.0–100%) by on-treatment analysis (p = 0.546), respectively. Plasma and intracellular C_trough were significantly higher with ATV_rtv than with ATV₄₀₀ (geometric mean (GM), 318.3 vs. 605.9 ng/mL; p = 0.013) and (811.3 vs. 2659.2 ng/mL; p = 0.001), respectively. Only 14 patients had plasma C_trough below the suggested effective concentration for ATV (150 ng/mL). No relationship between plasma or intracellular C_trough and VF or blips were found.

Conclusion

Boosted or unboosted ATV plus lamivudine is effective and safe, and the lower plasma C_trough observed with ATV₄₀₀ do not compromise the effectiveness of these simplification regimens in long-term virologically suppressed HIV-1-infected patients.

Antiretroviral Drugs for Treatment and Prevention of HIV Infection in Adults: 2018 Recommendations of the International Antiviral Society-USA Panel

Importance

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is the cornerstone of prevention and management of HIV infection.

Objective

To evaluate new data and treatments and incorporate this information into updated recommendations for initiating therapy, monitoring individuals starting therapy, changing regimens, and preventing HIV infection for individuals at risk.

Evidence Review

New evidence collected since the International Antiviral Society-USA 2016 recommendations via monthly PubMed and EMBASE literature searches up to April 2018; data presented at peer-reviewed scientific conferences. A volunteer panel of experts in HIV research and patient care considered these data and updated previous recommendations.

Findings

ART is recommended for virtually all HIV-infected individuals, as soon as possible after HIV diagnosis. Immediate initiation (eg, rapid start), if clinically appropriate, requires adequate staffing, specialized services, and careful selection of medical therapy. An integrase strand transfer inhibitor (InSTI) plus 2 nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) is generally recommended for initial therapy, with unique patient circumstances (eg, concomitant diseases and conditions, potential for pregnancy, cost) guiding the treatment choice. CD4 cell count, HIV RNA level, genotype, and other laboratory tests for general health and co-infections are recommended at specified points before and during ART. If a regimen switch is indicated, treatment history, tolerability, adherence, and drug resistance history should first be assessed; 2 or 3 active drugs are recommended for a new regimen. HIV testing is recommended at least once for anyone who has ever been sexually active and more often for individuals at ongoing risk for infection. Preexposure prophylaxis with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine and appropriate monitoring is recommended for individuals at risk for HIV.

Conclusions and Relevance

Advances in HIV prevention and treatment with antiretroviral drugs continue to improve clinical management and outcomes for individuals at risk for and living with HIV.

Dual antiretroviral therapy with tenofovir (TDF) and darunavir/ritonavir (DRV/RTV) in an HIV-1 positive patient: a case report, review, and meta-analysis of the literature on dual treatment strategies using protease inhibitors in combination with an NRTI

BACKGROUND

Here, we report the case of an HIV positive patient under a dual antiretroviral drug regimen with tenofovir disoproxil and darunavir/ritonavir with stable clinical, virological, and immunological response over 126 weeks. Dual antiretroviral therapy has the advantage of reduced toxicity and lower health care costs, treatment failure and fostering drug resistance are perceived risks. Optimal drug combinations and indication criteria for dual treatment remain controversial. Nevertheless, first clinical trials indicate non-inferiority for combinations of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and protease inhibitors. This case presents the combination of tenofovir disoproxil in combination with a protease inhibitor as a new potential dual treatment regimen.

METHOD

We performed a systematic literature search and meta-analysis of trials comparing dual to triple ART.

RESULTS

Literature review revealed nine studies in which dual therapy with a protease inhibitor and an NRTI was compared to triple therapy. We performed a meta-analysis of six trials that reported a 48-week follow-up. In treatment-naïve patients as well when ART switch was assessed, there was no difference in the treatment success in patients with dual ART versus triple.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that dual therapy with a protease inhibitor and NRTI is safe and effective. The use of tenofovir in dual treatment as described in our case needs to be assessed in future clinical trials.

Biochemical and inflammatory modifications after switching to dual antiretroviral therapy in HIV-infected patients in Italy: a multicenter retrospective cohort study from 2007 to 2015

BACKGROUND

Triple-drug regimens are the gold standard for HIV therapy. Nucleos(t)ide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) reducing regimens are used to decrease drugs toxicity, exposure and costs. Aim of our study was to evaluate trends of biochemical and inflammatory indices in patients switching to dual therapy (DT).

METHODS

We included patients that a) switched to a DT from 2007 to 2015 from a tenofovir/abacavir-based triple regimen b) previously maintained a triple and c) subsequently a dual regimen for 12 months with virological suppression. We retrieved data measured at 5 points (at the switch, 6 and 12 months before and after switch). We used platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and CD4/CD8 ratio as inflammatory indices. We assessed temporal trends of viro-immunological, biochemical and inflammatory parameters.

RESULTS

Overall, 364 and 65 patients switched from a tenofovir- and an abacavir-triple regimen, respectively. In the tenofovir-reducing group, creatinine clearance and lipids raised after the switch. There was a significant increase in both CD4+ cells and CD4/CD8. CD8+ cells rose after the switch, while opposite trend was found for PLR. In the abacavir-reducing group total lipids showed a decrease during the first 6 months after the switch and then stabilized. An increase of CD4+ and a decrease of CD8+ cells was observed during the study period, although not statistically significant. While CD4/CD8 remained stable after simplification, PLR decreased significantly after 6 months, then returning to baseline. CD8+ cells increased in the tenofovir-reducing group despite a viro-immunological response. Intriguingly, PLR decreased, maintaining this trend for 12 and 6 months after tenofovir and abacavir interruption respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased PLR has been linked to hypercholesterolemia and metabolic-syndrome, while high CD8+ cells count to increased risk of non-AIDS-related events regardless of CD4 T-cell recovery and to virological failure. Whether these findings may have clinical implications, and which role DT plays on the immune system and on inflammation should be further investigated.

Switching to dual/monotherapy determines an increase in CD8+ in HIV-infected individuals: an observational cohort study

BACKGROUND

The CD4/CD8 ratio has been associated with the risk of AIDS and non-AIDS events. We describe trends in immunological parameters in people who underwent a switch to monotherapy or dual therapy, compared to a control group remaining on triple antiretroviral therapy (ART).

METHODS

We included patients in Icona who started a three-drug combination ART regimen from an ART-naïve status and achieved a viral load ≤ 50 copies/mL; they were subsequently switched to another triple or to a mono or double regimen. Standard linear regression at fixed points in time (12-24 months after the switch) and linear mixed model analysis with random intercepts and slopes were used to compare CD4 and CD8 counts and their ratio over time according to regimen types (triple vs. dual and vs. mono).

RESULTS

A total of 1241 patients were included; 1073 switched to triple regimens, 104 to dual (72 with 1 nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI), 32 NRTI-sparing), and 64 to monotherapy. At 12 months after the switch, for the multivariable linear regression the mean change in the log₁₀ CD4/CD8 ratio for patients on dual therapy was -0.03 (95% confidence interval (CI) -0.05, -0.0002), and the mean change in CD8 count was +99 (95% CI +12.1, +186.3), taking those on triple therapy as reference. In contrast, there was no evidence for a difference in CD4 count change. When using all counts, there was evidence for a significant difference in the slope of the ratio and CD8 count between people who were switched to triple (points/year change ratio = +0.056, CD8 = -25.7) and those to dual regimen (ratio = -0.029, CD8 = +110.4).

CONCLUSIONS

We found an increase in CD8 lymphocytes in people who were switched to dual regimens compared to those who were switched to triple. Patients on monotherapy did not show significant differences. The long-term implications of this difference should be ascertained.

Impact of the M184V Resistance Mutation on Virological Efficacy and Durability of Lamivudine-Based Dual Antiretroviral Regimens as Maintenance Therapy in Individuals With Suppressed HIV-1 RNA: A Cohort Study

Background

Dual therapy (DT) with boosted protease inhibitors (bPIs) plus lamivudine has been shown to be superior to bPI monotherapy in virologically suppressed patients despite previous selection of the lamivudine resistance M184V mutation. We compared the virological efficacy of lamivudine-based DT in patients with and without a history of M184V detection.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed patients with HIV-RNA ≤50 copies/mL switching to DT with at least 1 previous resistance genotype in the ARCA database. Time to virological failure (VF; HIV-RNA ≥200 copies/mL or 2 consecutive HIV-RNA >50 copies/mL) and to treatment discontinuation (TD) was analyzed by survival analysis.

Results

Four hundred thirty-six patients switching to lamivudine plus bPIs (70%) or integrase inhibitors (30%) were included. Patients with M184V (n = 87) were older, had lower nadir CD4+ cell count, longer duration of antiretroviral therapy and of virologic suppression, and higher rate of hepatitis C virus infection compared with patients without M184V. The 3-year probability of remaining free from VF was 91.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 86.6–97.2) without M184V and 87.8% (95% CI, 78.4–97.2) with M184V (P = .323). The time to TD did not differ between groups. Multivariate analysis adjusting for baseline variables differing between groups also did not detect M184V as being associated with VF or TD; however, the 3-year probability of remaining free of viral blips (isolated HIV-RNA 51–199 copies/mL) was 79.8% (95% CI, 67.8%–91.8%) with M184V vs 90.1% (95% CI, 84.0%–96.2%) without M184V (P = .016).

Conclusions

Previous selection of M184V did not increase the risk of VF or TD with lamivudine-based DT but was associated with a higher probability of viral blips.

A Review of Long-Term Toxicity of Antiretroviral Treatment Regimens and Implications for an Aging Population

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a chronic infectious disease currently requiring lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART). People living with HIV (PLWH) face an increased risk of comorbidities associated with aging, chronic HIV, and the toxicity arising from long-term ART. A literature review was conducted to identify the most recent evidence documenting toxicities associated with long-term ART, particularly among aging PLWH. In general, PLWH are at a greater risk of developing fractures, osteoporosis, renal and metabolic disorders, central nervous system disorders, cardiovascular disease, and liver disease. There remains limited evidence describing the economic burden of long-term ART. Overall, an aging HIV population treated with long-term ART presents a scenario in which the clinical, humanistic, and economic burden for healthcare systems will demand thoughtful policy solutions that preserve access to treatment. Newer treatment regimens with fewer drugs may mitigate some of the cumulative toxicity burden of long-term ART.

Funding: ViiV Healthcare.

Evolution of blood-associated HIV-1 DNA levels after 48 weeks of switching to atazanavir/ritonavir+lamivudine dual therapy versus continuing triple therapy in the randomized AtLaS-M trial

Objectives

The AtLaS-M randomized trial showed that in patients with HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL on atazanavir/ritonavir + two NRTIs, switching to a dual therapy with atazanavir/ritonavir+lamivudine had superior efficacy as compared with continuing the previous triple therapy. This substudy was designed to evaluate at 48 weeks the impact of the dual therapy versus the three-drug atazanavir/ritonavir-based therapy on the HIV-1 cellular reservoir as reflected by the quantification of blood-associated HIV-1 DNA levels.

Methods

In a representative subset of 201 of 266 randomized patients (104 in the dual-therapy arm and 97 in the triple-therapy arm) total HIV-1 DNA levels in whole blood at baseline and after 48 weeks and factors associated with the HIV-1 DNA levels were evaluated.

Results

The mean baseline HIV-1 DNA levels (2.47 log 10 copies/10 6 leucocytes) were comparable between arms. A significant mean decrease between baseline and week 48 was observed: -0.069 log 10 copies/10 6 leucocytes in the dual-therapy arm ( P  =   0.046) and -0.078 in the triple-therapy arm ( P  =   0.011); the mean difference between arms was -0.009 ( P  =   0.842). Nadir CD4 count was inversely correlated with baseline HIV-1 DNA ( P  =   0.009); longer duration of ART and lower nadir CD4 correlated with a less prominent HIV-1 DNA decrease (both P  <   0.005). Higher baseline HIV-1 DNA was associated with residual viraemia at week 48 ( P  =   0.031).

Conclusions

When compared with continuing three-drug therapy, atazanavir/ritonavir+lamivudine dual therapy resulted in a similar decline in HIV-1 DNA levels in patients with sustained virological suppression. These data support the safety of this simplified treatment strategy in terms of its effect on the cellular HIV-1 reservoir.

Cerebrospinal fluid drug concentrations and viral suppression in HIV-1-infected patients receiving ritonavir-boosted atazanavir plus lamivudine dual antiretroviral therapy (Spanish HIV/AIDS Research Network, PreEC/RIS 39)

This study aimed to assess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drug concentrations and viral suppression in HIV-1-infected patients on ritonavir-boosted atazanavir (ATV/r) plus lamivudine (3TC) dual therapy. HIV-1-infected adults with suppressed plasma HIV-1 RNA who switched to ATV/r plus 3TC were studied. Total ATV and 3TC concentrations at the end of the dosing interval (C_24h), using a validated LC-MS/MS method, and HIV-1 RNA were measured in paired CSF and plasma samples 12 weeks after switching. Ten individuals were included. Median (range) age was 42.5 (33-70) years, time on ART was 39.5 (11-197) months, and time with plasma HIV-1 RNA < 40 copies/mL was 15.5 (6-46) months. At baseline, CSF HIV-1 RNA was < 40 copies/mL in all patients. Twelve weeks after switching to ATV/r plus 3TC, HIV-1 RNA remained at < 40 copies/mL in both plasma and CSF in 9/10 patients. One patient with suboptimal adherence to ART had HIV-1 RNA rebound in both plasma and CSF. The median CSF-to-plasma concentration ratios of ATV and 3TC were 0.013 and 0.417, respectively. Median ATV C_24h in CSF was 10.4 (3.7-33.4) ng/mL (in vitro ATV IC₅₀ range, 1-11 ng/mL). Median 3TC C_24h in CSF was 43.4 (16.2-99.3) ng/mL (in vitro 3TC IC₅₀ range, 0.68-20.6 ng/mL). Most patients maintained HIV-1 RNA in CSF < 40 copies/mL despite CSF ATV C_24h close to or within the IC₅₀ range in the majority. ATV PK data in CSF should be considered and rigorous patient selection is advisable to assure effective CSF viral suppression with this two-drug simplification regimen.

Switch to maraviroc with darunavir/r, both QD, in patients with suppressed HIV-1 was well tolerated but virologically inferior to standard antiretroviral therapy: 48-week results of a randomized trial

OBJECTIVES

Primary study outcome was absence of treatment failure (virological failure, VF, or treatment interruption) per protocol at week 48.

METHODS

Patients on 3-drug ART with stable HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL and CCR5-tropic virus were randomized 1:1 to maraviroc with darunavir/ritonavir qd (study arm) or continue current ART (continuation arm).

RESULTS

In June 2015, 115 patients were evaluable for the primary outcome (56 study, 59 continuation arm). The study was discontinued due to excess of VF in the study arm (7 cases, 12.5%, vs 0 in the continuation arm, p = 0.005). The proportion free of treatment failure was 73.2% in the study and 59.3% in the continuation arm. Two participants in the study and 10 in the continuation arm discontinued therapy due to adverse events (p = 0.030). At VF, no emergent drug resistance was detected. Co-receptor tropism switched to non-R5 in one patient. Patients with VF reported lower adherence and had lower plasma drug levels. Femoral bone mineral density was significantly improved in the study arm.

CONCLUSION

Switching to maraviroc with darunavir/ritonavir qd in virologically suppressed patients was associated with improved tolerability but was virologically inferior to 3-drug therapy.

Budget impact analysis of the simplification to atazanavir + ritonavir + lamivudine dual therapy of HIV-positive patients receiving atazanavir-based triple therapies in Italy starting from data of the Atlas-M trial

Background

This analysis aimed at evaluating the impact of a therapeutic strategy of treatment simplification of atazanavir (ATV)+ ritonavir (r) + lamivudine (3TC) in virologically suppressed patients receiving ATV+r+2 nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) on the budget of the Italian National Health Service (NHS).

Methods

A budget impact model with a 5-year time horizon was developed based on the clinical data of Atlas-M trial at 48 weeks (in terms of percentage of patients experiencing virologic failure and adverse events), from the Italian NHS perspective. A scenario in which the simplification strategy was not considered was compared with three scenarios in which, among a target population of 1,892 patients, different simplification strategies were taken into consideration in terms of percentage of patients simplified on a yearly basis among those eligible for simplification. The costs considered were direct medical costs related to antiretroviral drugs, adverse events management, and monitoring activities.

Results

The percentage of patients of the target population receiving ATV+r+3TC varies among the scenarios and is between 18.7% and 46.9% in year 1, increasing up to 56.3% and 84.4% in year 5. The antiretroviral treatment simplification strategy considered would lead to lower costs for the Italian NHS in a 5-year time horizon between −28.7 million € and −16.0 million €, with a reduction of costs between −22.1% (−3.6 million €) and −8.8% (−1.4 million €) in year 1 and up to −39.9% (−6.9 million €) and −26.6% (−4.6 million €) in year 5.

Conclusion

The therapy simplification for patients receiving ATV+r+2 NRTIs to ATV+r+3TC at a national level would lead to a reduction of direct medical costs over a 5-year period for the Italian NHS.