Individualized antiretroviral therapeutic approaches: less can be more

Health care resource utilization and costs for treatment-experienced people with HIV switching or restarting antiretroviral regimens since 2018

BACKGROUND

There is a need to understand health care resource utilization (HCRU) and costs associated with treatment-experienced people with HIV (PWH) switching treatment regimens.

OBJECTIVE

To describe HCRU and cost during lines of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for treatment-experienced PWH switching to or restarting guideline-recommended, integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI)-based multitablet regimens and single-tablet regimens.

METHODS

This retrospective claims study used data from Optum Research Database (January 1, 2010, to March 31, 2020) to identify lines of therapy (LOTs) for treatment-experienced adults who switched to or restarted INSTI-based regimens between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2019. The first LOT during the study period was included in the analysis. We examined all-cause HCRU and costs and HIV-related HCRU and combined costs to the health plan and direct patient costs by site of service and compared between INSTI-based regimens: bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (B/F/TAF) (single tablet) vs dolutegravir/abacavir/lamivudine (DTG/ABC/3TC) (single tablet), dolutegravir + emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (DTG+FTC/TAF) (multitablet), and dolutegravir + emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (DTG+FTC/TDF) (multitablet). Analysis of HCRU by site of service was conducted following inverse probability treatment weighting. Multivariable regression was conducted using a generalized linear model with stepwise covariate selection to estimate HIV-related medical costs and control for remaining differences after inverse probability treatment weighting.

RESULTS

4,251 PWH were identified: B/F/TAF (n = 2,727; 64.2%), DTG/ABC/3TC (n = 898; 21.1%), DTG+FTC/TAF (n = 539; 12.7%), and DTG+FTC/TDF (n = 87; 2.1%). PWH treated with DTG+FTC/TAF had a significantly higher mean of all-cause ambulatory visits than PWH treated with B/F/TAF (1.8 vs 1.6, P < 0.001). A significantly smaller proportion of PWH treated with DTG/ABC/3TC had an all-cause ambulatory visit vs PWH treated with B/F/TAF (90.6% vs 93.9%, P < 0.001). All-cause total costs were not significantly different between regimens. Mean (SD) medical HIV-related costs per month during the LOT were not significantly different between B/F/TAF $699 (3,602), DTG/ABC/3TC $770 (3,469), DTG+FTC/TAF $817 (3,128), and DTG+FTC/TDF $3,570 (17,691). After further controlling for unbalanced measures, HIV-related medical costs during the LOT were higher (20%) but did not reach statistical significance for DTG/ABC/3TC (cost ratio = 1.20, 95% CI = 0.851-1.694; P = 0.299), 49% higher for DTG+FTC/TAF (cost ratio = 1.489, 95% CI = 1.018-2.179; P = 0.040), and almost 11 times greater for DTG+FTC/TDF (cost ratio = 10.759, 95% CI = 2.182-53.048; P = 0.004) compared with B/F/TAF.

CONCLUSIONS

HIV-related medical costs during the LOT were lowest for PWH treated with INSTI-based single-tablet regimens. Simplifying treatment regimens may help PWH maintain lower health care costs.

Studying the Changes in Physical Functioning and Oxidative Stress-Related Molecules in People Living with HIV after Switching from Triple to Dual Therapy

BACKGROUND

Physical activity could increase the production of oxidative stress biomarkers, affecting the metabolism and excretion of antiretroviral drugs and, consequently, the clinical outcome. Nowadays, people living with HIV (PLWH) are mostly switching from triple to dual therapy, but no data are available in terms of physical functioning and oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate if some antioxidant biomarkers and physical functioning tests could be different according to triple or dual antiretroviral therapy.

METHODS

PLWH were evaluated at baseline (BL), while treated with three drugs, and six months after the switch to dual therapy. Physical functioning was quantified using validated tools. Mitochondrial and cytosol antioxidant molecules were evaluated through liquid chromatography.

RESULTS

Twenty-five patients were analyzed. A statistically significant difference between triple and dual therapy was found for mitochondrial glutathione, but not for physical tests. Evaluating differences between physically active and inactive individuals, the following statistically significant differences were suggested, considering triple therapy (mitochondrial n-formyl-methionine p = 0.022, triglycerides p = 0.023) and double therapy (mitochondrial glycine p = 0.035, cytosol glutamic acid p = 0.007, cytosol s-adenosylmethionine p = 0.021).

CONCLUSIONS

For the first time, this study suggests possible differences in terms of antioxidant molecules and physical functioning in PLWH switching from triple to dual therapy.

Real-World Effectiveness of Dolutegravir/Lamivudine in People With HIV-1 in Test-and-Treat Settings or With High Baseline Viral Loads: TANDEM Study Subgroup Analyses

INTRODUCTION

Dolutegravir/lamivudine (DTG/3TC) was first approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2019 for the treatment of antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naive people with HIV-1 based on results from the pivotal GEMINI-1/GEMINI-2 trials. Around that time, immediate initiation of treatment upon diagnosis was recommended in the US Department of Health and Human Services guidelines. Here we report results from 126 treatment-naive people with HIV-1 who initiated DTG/3TC as part of a test-and-treat strategy (n = 61) or with high baseline viral loads (HIV-1 RNA ≥ 100,000 copies/ml; n = 16) from the TANDEM study.

METHODS

TANDEM was a US-based, retrospective chart review study that included a cohort of 126 individuals aged ≥ 18 years with no prior history of ART who initiated DTG/3TC before September 30, 2020, and had ≥ 6 months of follow-up. Test-and-treat was defined as ART initiation shortly after diagnosis without available viral load, CD4 + cell count, or HIV-1 resistance data. Outcomes included virologic suppression (HIV-1 RNA < 50 copies/ml; overall and by baseline viral load) and discontinuations. Analyses were descriptive.

RESULTS

Among 61 individuals who initiated DTG/3TC in a test-and-treat setting (median [interquartile range (IQR)] treatment duration, 1.3 [0.9-1.7] years), 57 (93%) achieved virologic suppression, and 51 (84%) remained suppressed; 1 (< 1%) individual discontinued DTG/3TC due to persistent low-level viremia. The most common healthcare provider (HCP)-reported reason for initiating DTG/3TC was avoidance of long-term toxicities among individuals in the test-and-treat subgroup. Of 16 treatment-naive individuals with high baseline viral loads (median [IQR] treatment duration, 100,000-250,000 copies/ml: 1.2 [0.8-1.8] years; > 250,000 copies/ml: 1.0 [0.7-1.1] years), 14 (88%) achieved virologic suppression, 13 (81%) remained suppressed, and none discontinued DTG/3TC. Patient preference was the most common HCP-reported reason for initiating DTG/3TC in this subgroup.

CONCLUSIONS

Results demonstrate real-world effectiveness of DTG/3TC, with few discontinuations, in people with HIV-1 in test-and-treat settings or with high baseline viral loads.

Two-Drug Regimens Dolutegravir/Lamivudine and Dolutegravir/Rilpivirine Are Effective with Few Discontinuations in US Real-World Settings: Results from the TANDEM Study

INTRODUCTION

Dolutegravir/lamivudine (DTG/3TC) and dolutegravir/rilpivirine (DTG/RPV) are fixed-dose, complete, single-tablet, two-drug regimens (2DRs) indicated for HIV-1. DTG/3TC is approved for antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naive people with HIV-1 and virologically suppressed individuals to replace current ART; DTG/RPV is indicated for virologically suppressed individuals as a switch option. Virologic efficacy and effectiveness of these DTG-based 2DRs have been demonstrated in phase 3 clinical trials and real-world cohorts, primarily from Europe. This study characterized real-world use of DTG-based 2DRs for HIV-1 treatment in the USA.

METHODS

TANDEM was a retrospective medical chart review across 24 US sites. Individuals aged ≥ 18 years who initiated DTG/3TC or DTG/RPV before September 30, 2020, with ≥ 6 months of follow-up were included. One cohort included ART-naive people who initiated DTG/3TC (n = 126), and two other cohorts included virologically suppressed (HIV-1 RNA < 50 copies/mL) people on stable ART regimens for ≥ 3 months before switch to either DTG/3TC (n = 192) or DTG/RPV (n = 151). Clinical characteristics, treatment history, and outcomes are described.

RESULTS

Virologically suppressed individuals were older than those who were ART-naive, and the ART-naive cohort had higher proportions of individuals assigned male at birth and of Hispanic ethnicity. The most common healthcare provider-reported reason for choosing a DTG-based 2DR was avoidance of long-term toxicities (25-33% across cohorts), followed by simplification/streamlining of treatment. Among ART-naive people on DTG/3TC, 94% achieved virologic suppression after initiation, and 83% maintained suppression at last follow-up; discontinuation rate was < 1%. Among cohorts who switched to DTG-based 2DRs, 96% maintained virologic suppression on DTG/3TC and 93% on DTG/RPV; 2% on DTG/3TC and 3% on DTG/RPV discontinued.

CONCLUSION

Motivation for selecting DTG-based 2DRs was primarily driven by a desire to avoid or manage toxicities and simplify treatment. Results demonstrate that DTG/3TC and DTG/RPV are effective in real-world settings, with few discontinuations, reflecting data from clinical trials.

Intermittent doravirine/lamivudine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (DOR/3TC/TDF) maintains a high level of viral suppression in virologically suppressed people living with HIV

INTRODUCTION

We aimed to determine whether doravirine/lamivudine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (DOR/3TC/TDF) given 5 or 4 days a week was able to maintain viral suppression in people living with HIV (PLHIV).

METHODS

In this observational, retrospective study, we included all PLHIVs who had received intermittent DOR/3TC/TDF between 10/01/2019 and 01/31/2021, in two French hospitals.

RESULTS

Forty-three PLHIVs were included, median (IQR) age: 52 years (48-58), ART duration: 15 years (8-23), duration of virological suppression: 6 years (2-10). Median follow-up was 78 weeks (IQR 62-97). One virological failure (VF) occurred at W38 (HIV-RNA = 61 and 76 copies/mL), in a patient with no viral resistance at baseline or at time of VF, and during the study period five individuals discontinued DOR/3TC/TDF due to adverse events. There were no significant changes during follow-up in the CD4 count, CD4/CD8 ratio, body weight or residual viremia rate.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest the potential for intermittent DOR/3TC/TDF to maintain virological control.

Birth Country Influences the Choice of Antiretroviral Therapy in HIV-Infected Individuals: Experience From a French HIV Centre

OBJECTIVES

To assess whether antiretroviral therapy (ART) prescriptions differ between naive and virally suppressed HIV patients born in France (PBFs) and in Sub-Saharan Africa (PBSSAs).

SETTING

Observational single-center study.

METHODS

We included all PBFs and PBSSAs who entered into care at Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France, from 01/01/2000 to 31/12/2018, with plasma HIV-RNA>200 copies/mL. We first compared the initial ART in naive PBFs and PBSSAs. Second, we compared the last-prescribed ART (including drug-reduced ART: daily 2-drug regimens, daily 1-drug regimens and intermittent 3-drug regimens) in virally suppressed PBFs and PBSSAs, by focusing on patients in care in 2018 with HIV-RNA <50 copies for at least 24 months. A univariable and multivariable logistic regression model was used to assess the impact of geographical origin on ART prescriptions.

RESULTS

A total of 1944 naive patients were included (915 PBSSAs and 1029 PBFs). PBSSAs were more frequently women, hepatitis B coinfected, with a lower pretherapeutic CD4 T-cell count, and most had tuberculosis at HIV diagnosis. After adjustment for confounders, PBSSAs were more likely to receive a first-line protease inhibitor-based regimen (OR 1.61, 95% CI: 1.31 to 1.98), and less likely to receive an integrase inhibitor-based regimen (OR 0.61, 95% CI: 0.42 to 0.88). Of the 968 virally suppressed patients (431 PBSSAs and 537 PBFs), PBSSAs were less likely to receive drug-reduced ART, including 2-drug regimens and intermittent three-drug regimens (OR 0.48, 95% CI: 0.36 to 0.65).

CONCLUSIONS

Differences in ART prescriptions between PBSSAs and PBFs were not only explained by different clinical and virologic situations. Personal motivations of doctors in choosing ART according to country of birth need to be explored.

Costs and mortality associated with HIV: a machine learning analysis of the French national health insurance database

BACKGROUND

The objective is to characterise the economic burden to the healthcare system of people living with HIV (PLWHIV) in France and to help decision makers in identifying risk factors associated with high-cost and high mortality profiles.

DESIGN AND METHODS

The study is a retrospective analysis of PLWHIV identified in the French National Health Insurance database (SNDS). All PLWHIV present in the database in 2013 were identified.  All healthcare resource consumption from 2008 to 2015 inclusive was documented and costed (for 2013 to 2015) from the perspective of public health insurance. High-cost and high mortality patient profiles were identified by a machine learning algorithm.

RESULTS

In 2013, 96,423 PLWHIV were identified in the SNDS database, including 3,373 incident cases. Overall, 3,224 PLWHIV died during the three-year follow-up period (mean annual mortality rate: 1.1%). The mean annual per capita cost incurred by PLWHIV was € 14,223, corresponding to a total management cost of HIV of € 1,370 million in 2013. The largest contribution came from the cost of antiretroviral medication (M€ 870; 63%) followed by hospitalisation (M€ 154; 11%). The costs incurred in the year preceding death were considerably higher. Four specific patient profiles were identified for under/over-expressing these costs, suggesting ways to reduce them.

CONCLUSIONS

Even though current therapeutic regimens provide excellent virological control in most patients, PLWHIV have excess mortality. Other factors such as comorbidities, lifestyle factors and screening for cancer and cardiovascular disease, need to be targeted in order to lower the mortality and cost associated with HIV infection.

Kinetics of archived M184V mutation in treatment-experienced virally suppressed HIV-infected patients

BACKGROUND

We aimed to assess the kinetics of drug-resistant viral variants (DRVs) harboring the M184V mutation in the proviral DNA of long-term virally suppressed patients, and factors associated with DRV persistence.

METHODS

HIV-DNA from blood cells stored in 2019 and 2016 was sequenced using both Sanger and ultradeep sequencing (SS and UDS, with a detection threshold of 1%) in ART-treated patients with HIV-RNA <50 copies/mL for at least 5 years, with past M184V mutation documented in HIV-RNA.

RESULTS

Among the 79 tested patients, by combining SS and UDS, the M184V was found to be absent in 26/79 (33%) patients (M184V- patients), and persisted in 53/79 (67%) (M184V+ patients). The M184V+ patients had a longer history of ART, a lower CD4 nadir and higher pretherapeutic HIV-RNA. Among the 37 patients with viral sequences assessed by UDS, the proportion of M184V+ DRVs significantly decreased between 2016 and 2019 (40% versus 14%, p=0.005). The persistence of M184V was associated with the duration and level of HIV-RNA replication under 3TC/FTC (p=0.0009 and p=0.009, respectively).

CONCLUSION

While it decreased over time in HIV-DNA, the M184V mutation was more frequently persistent in the HIV-DNA of more experienced patients with longer past replication under 3TC/FTC.

Intermittent two-drug antiretroviral therapies maintain long-term viral suppression in real life in highly experienced HIV-infected patients

OBJECTIVES

To assess in real life whether two-drug regimens (2-DRs) given 4-5 days a week in virally suppressed patients can maintain viral suppression over 48 and 96 weeks.

METHODS

This observational single-centre study enrolled all patients who initiated an intermittent 2-DR between 01/01/2016 and 30/06/2019. The primary outcome was the rate of virological failure (VF), defined as confirmed plasma viral load (pVL) ≥50 copies/mL or single pVL ≥50 copies/mL followed by ART change at week 48 (W48) and W96. Secondary outcomes were the 2-DR intermittent strategy success rate (pVL <50 copies/mL with no ART change), change in CD4 count, CD4/CD8 ratio and rate of residual viraemia.

RESULTS

Eighty-five patients were included; 67/85 (79%) were men, median age = 57 years (IQR = 50-63), CD4 nadir = 233 cells/mm3 (110-327), ART duration = 21 years (13-24), duration of virological suppression = 6.5 years (3.7-10.8) and CD4 count = 658 cells/mm3 (519-867). Intermittent 2-DRs consisted of integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI)/NNRTI (58%), INSTI/NRTI (13%), two NRTIs (11%), PI/NRTI (7%) and other combinations (11%). The median follow-up was 90 weeks (IQR = 64-111). Overall, four VFs occurred, leading to a virological success rate of 98.8% (95% CI = 93.6-100) at W48 and 95.3% (95% CI = 88.4-98.7) at W96. Resuming the same 2-DR 7 days a week led to viral resuppression in three patients, whereas the M184V mutation emerged in one patient, leading to ART modification. There was no significant change in the CD4 count or residual viraemia rate, but a small increase in the CD4/CD8 ratio (P = 0.009) occurred over the study period.

CONCLUSIONS

This observational study shows the potential for intermittent 2-DRs to maintain a high virological success rate, which should be assessed in larger prospective randomized studies.

Cost-effectiveness and budget impact of dolutegravir/lamivudine for treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection in the United States

BACKGROUND: Dolutegravir(DTG)/lamivudine(3TC) is the first 2-drug regimen recommended as an initial treatment for people living with HIV (PLHIV). OBJECTIVE: To assess the cost-effectiveness and potential budget impact of DTG/3TC in the US healthcare setting. METHODS: A previously published hybrid decision-tree and Markov cohort state transition model was adapted to estimate the incremental costs and health outcome benefits over a patients' lifetime. DTG/3TC was compared with current standard of care in treatment naive and treatment experienced virologically suppressed PLHIV. Health states included in the model were based upon virologic response and CD4 cell count, with death as an absorbing state. Clinical data was informed by the Phase III GEMINI 1 and 2 clinical trials, a published network meta-analysis (NMA) in treatment-naive patients and the Phase III TANGO clinical trial in treatment experienced patients. Costs and utilities were informed by published data and discounted annually at a rate of 3%. A separate 5-year budget impact analysis was conducted assuming 5%-15% uptake in eligible treatment naive and 10%-30% uptake in eligible treatment experienced patients. RESULTS: In the treatment naive analyses based on GEMINI 1 and 2, DTG/3TC dominated, i.e., was less costly and more effective, than all comparators. DTG/3TC resulted in 0.083 incremental quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) at a cost saving of $199,166 compared with the DTG + tenofovir disoproxil(TDF)/emtricitabine(FTC) comparator arm. The incremental QALY and cost savings for DTG/3TC compared with DTG/abacavir(ABC)/3TC, cobicistat-boosted darunavir(DRV/c)/tenofovir alafenamide(TAF)/FTC, and bictegravir (BIC)/TAF/FTC, based on NMA results were 0.465, 0.142, and 0.698, and $42,948, $122,846, and $44,962, respectively. In the analyses of treatment-experienced virologically suppressed patients based on TANGO, DTG/3TC offered slightly lower QALYs (-0.037) with an estimated savings of $78,730 when compared with continuation of TAF-based regimen (TBR). Sensitivity analyses demonstrated that these conclusions were relatively insensitive to alternative parameter estimates. The budget impact analysis estimated that by 5th year a total of 70,240 treatment naive patients and 1,340,480 treatment experienced patients could be eligible to be prescribed DTG/3TC. The estimated budget savings over 5 years ranged from $1.12b to $3.35b (corresponding to 27,512 to 82,536 on DTG/3TC by year 5) in the lowest and highest uptake scenarios, respectively. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, DTG/3TC with its comparable efficacy and lower drug acquisition costs, has the potential to offer significant cost savings to US healthcare payers for the initial treatment of treatment naive patients and as a treatment switching option for virologically suppressed patients. DISCLOSURES: This study was funded in full by ViiV healthcare, Brentford, UK. Medical writing to support this study was also funded in full by ViiV Healthcare, Brentford, UK. Butler, Hayward, and Jacob are employees of HEOR Ltd, the company performing this study funded by ViiV Healthcare. Anderson is an employee of GlaxoSmithKline and owns shares in the company. Punekar, Evitt, and Oglesby are employees of ViiV Healthcare and own stocks in GlaxoSmithKline.

Once-daily etravirine/raltegravir (400/800 mg q24h) dual therapy maintains viral suppression over 48 weeks in HIV-infected patients switching from a twice-daily etravirine/raltegravir (200/400 mg q12h) regimen

BACKGROUND

Etravirine/raltegravir dual therapy has been shown to be highly effective as a twice-daily (q12h) regimen in suppressed HIV-infected patients enrolled in the ANRS-163 study.

OBJECTIVES

As a once-daily (q24h) regimen is easier for daily life, we aimed to evaluate the capacity of etravirine/raltegravir (400/800 mg) q24h to maintain viral suppression in patients on etravirine/raltegravir q12h.

METHODS

Patients on a suppressive etravirine/raltegravir q12h regimen for at least 96 weeks were switched to etravirine/raltegravir q24h in this prospective, multicentre, open-label, single-arm study. Primary outcome was the rate of virological failure (VF: confirmed pVL >50 copies/mL, single pVL >400 copies/mL or single pVL >50 copies/mL with ART change) at Week 48 (W48). Secondary outcomes included treatment strategy success rate (no VF and no treatment discontinuation), regimen tolerability, plasma drug concentrations and resistance profile in the case of VF.

RESULTS

A total of 111 patients were enrolled, with a median (IQR) age of 57 years (52-62), CD4 count of 710 cells/mm3 (501-919) and viral suppression for 7.9 years (5.9-10.7). Two patients experienced viral rebound at W24 and W48, leading to a VF rate of 2.0% (95% CI 0.5-7.8) at W48, associated with INSTI resistance in one case. Both had past NNRTI mutations. Ten patients discontinued treatment for adverse events (n = 2), investigator or patient decisions (n = 3), lost to follow-up (n = 3), death (n = 1) or pregnancy (n = 1). Overall, the strategy success rate was 89% (95% CI 81.5-93.6) at W48. In a subgroup of 64 patients, median (IQR) plasma C24h concentrations were 401 ng/mL (280-603) for etravirine and 62 ng/mL (31-140) for raltegravir.

CONCLUSIONS

Switching patients virally suppressed on etravirine/raltegravir q12h to the same regimen but given q24h was highly effective in maintaining virological suppression in HIV-infected patients.

Long-term follow-up of HIV-infected patients on dolutegravir monotherapy

BACKGROUND

In recent years, dolutegravir monotherapy has been explored as a drug-reduced regimen for HIV patients.

METHODS

This was a retrospective observational study, including patients virologically suppressed for ≥6 months, without previous virological failure (VF) under integrase inhibitors (INIs), who had been switched to dolutegravir monotherapy (50 mg/day). The primary aim was to report the proportion of VF at week 48 (W48) and week 96 (W96) of dolutegravir monotherapy. The evolution from baseline to W48 of residual viraemia on ultra-deep sequencing and HIV DNA was also evaluated.

RESULTS

Sixty-one patients were included. Prior to switching to dolutegravir monotherapy, they had a median (IQR) of 15.4 (6.5-19.9) years of antiretroviral exposure, 5.8 (3.2-10.3) years of viral suppression and 687 (461-848) CD4+ cells/mm3. They remained on dolutegravir monotherapy for a median (IQR) of 100 (29-148) weeks. Forty-two out of 61 patients (68.9%) reached W48 and 32 out of 61 patients (52.5%) reached W96. VF occurred in three patients, with the emergence of INI resistance. VF occurred before W24 and in patients pre-exposed to INIs. At W48, the probability of VF (Kaplan-Meier analysis) was 5.6% (95% CI = 1.8%-16.4%). The same result was obtained at W96. Detectable residual viraemia did not increase and median HIV DNA did not change significantly (2.4 log/106 cells at baseline and 2.3 log/106 cells at W48). Dolutegravir plasma concentration was above the IC90 in 41/41 samples, from 22 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term follow-up showed a low risk of VF under dolutegravir monotherapy, in a selected population of patients with previous long-term virological suppression and low HIV reservoir.

Electronic dose monitoring identifies a high-risk subpopulation in the treatment of drug-resistant tuberculosis and HIV

BACKGROUND

In generalized drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) HIV epidemics, identifying subpopulations at high risk for treatment failure and loss to care is critically important to improve treatment outcomes and prevent amplification of drug resistance. We hypothesized that an electronic dose-monitoring (EDM) device could empirically identify adherence-challenged patients and that a mixed-methods approach would characterize treatment challenges.

METHODS

A prospective study of DR-TB HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiating bedaquiline-containing regimens in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Separate EDM devices measured adherence for bedaquiline and ART. Patients with low adherence (<85%) to both bedaquiline and ART were identified as high-risk for poor outcomes. Baseline survey, study visit notes and focus group discussions characterized treatment challenges.

RESULTS

From December 2016-February 2018, 32 of 198 (16%) enrolled DR-TB HIV patients were identified as dual adherence-challenged. In a multivariate model including baseline characteristics, only receiving a disability grant was significantly associated with dual non-adherence at 6-months. Mixed-methods identified treatment barriers including, alcohol abuse, family conflicts, and mental health issues. Compared to adherent patients, dual-adherence challenged patients struggled to prioritize treatment and lacked support, and dual adherence-challenged patients experienced higher rates of detectable HIV viral load and mortality compared to more adherent patients.

CONCLUSION

EDM empirically identified a subpopulation of DR-TB HIV patients with dual adherence challenges early in treatment. Mixed-methods revealed intense psychosocial, behavioral, and structural barriers to care in this subpopulation. Our data supports developing differential, patient-centered, adherence support interventions focused on psychosocial and structural challenges for subpopulations of at-risk DR-TB HIV patients.

Antiretroviral drug reduction in highly experienced HIV-infected patients receiving a multidrug regimen: the ECOVIR study

OBJECTIVES

In a context of life-long therapy, we asked whether it could be possible to reduce the number of antiretroviral drugs without jeopardizing viral suppression.

METHODS

ECOVIR was a prospective study aiming to assess whether in patients on combination ART with ≥4 antiretrovirals for ≥24 weeks and virally suppressed for ≥48 weeks, a drug-reduced (DR) regimen could be proposed. The intervention consisted of discontinuing genotypically less susceptible drugs to reach a DR regimen with ≤3 antiretrovirals. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients maintaining viral suppression at week (W) 24.

RESULTS

From 89 eligible individuals for the study, a DR regimen was proposed in 86 (97%) patients, of whom 71 were switched to a DR regimen. Baseline characteristics [median (IQR)] were: age 58 (53-65) years, duration of treatment 24 (21-26) years and viral suppression 8 (6-11) years. The cumulative resistance profile showed full resistance to lamivudine/emtricitabine (91%), abacavir (74%), efavirenz/nevirapine (70%), rilpivirine (56%), darunavir (q24h/q12h) (42%/29%), lopinavir (69%), atazanavir (71%) and raltegravir (24%). The final DR regimen consisted of a two-drug or three-drug regimen in 54 patients (76%) and in 17 patients (24%), respectively. The success rate of a DR regimen at W24 was 93.9% (95% CI 84.4-97.6, Kaplan-Meier estimate). Four patients experienced virological failure (at W4, W8 and W12), all with plasma viral load (pVL) <600 copies/mL and no emergence of resistance mutations. The DR strategy allowed a monthly cost saving of 36%.

CONCLUSIONS

In experienced patients with high-level resistance, individualized strategies based on expert advice can offer DR regimen options with fewer drug-drug interactions and a significant economic impact while ensuring virological success.

Dual therapy combining raltegravir with etravirine maintains a high level of viral suppression over 96 weeks in long-term experienced HIV-infected individuals over 45 years on a PI-based regimen: results from the Phase II ANRS 163 ETRAL study

BACKGROUND

Dual therapy combining integrase inhibitors and NNRTIs represents a promising regimen in ageing HIV-infected individuals with long exposure to nucleoside analogues and PIs.

METHODS

The ANRS 163 ETRAL trial (NCT02212379) was a 96 week, multicentre, single-arm study evaluating the efficacy and safety of raltegravir (400 mg twice daily)/etravirine (200 mg twice daily) in individuals >45 years, on a PI-containing regimen who were integrase inhibitor and etravirine naive. The primary endpoint was the proportion of participants with virological success, defined by the absence of virological failure up to week 48. Main secondary outcomes included evolution of metabolic parameters, CD4/CD8 count, bone mineral density and inflammatory markers. The study was designed to show an efficacy >90%, assuming a success rate ≥95%, with a power of 80% and a 5% type-1 error.

RESULTS

One hundred and sixty-five participants (median age 52 years, duration of ART 16.9 years, viral suppression 6.9 years and CD4 count 700 cells/mm3) were enrolled. By ITT analysis, viral suppression was maintained in 99.4% of participants (95% CI = 95.6%-99.9%) at week 48 and 98.7% (95% CI = 95.0%-99.7%) at week 96. Two virological failures occurred (week 24 and week 64) without emergence of integrase inhibitor resistance. Eight participants discontinued raltegravir/etravirine for adverse events, leading to a strategy success rate of 95.1% (95% CI = 90.5%-97.5%) at week 48 and 92.7% (95% CI = 87.5%-95.8%) at week 96. Over 96 weeks, lipid fractions improved (P < 0.001), CD4/CD8 ratio increased, IFNγ-induced protein 10 (IP-10) decreased (-8.1%), soluble CD14 decreased (-27%, P < 0.001) bone mineral density improved and BMI increased.

CONCLUSIONS

Raltegravir plus etravirine dual therapy demonstrated durable efficacy in virologically suppressed ageing patients.

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.

Plasma cystatin C as a marker for estimated glomerular filtration rate assessment in HIV-1-infected patients treated with dolutegravir-based ART

Objectives

Inhibition of the organic cation transporter-2 renal tubule transporter by dolutegravir leads to serum creatinine increase. Serum cystatin C is a non-organic cation transporter-2-dependent marker, possibly enabling glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimation under dolutegravir. Our goal was to evaluate the changes in creatinine- and cystatin C-based estimated GFR values before and after dolutegravir initiation.

Methods

Creatinine and cystatin measurements were carried out on frozen plasma samples from HIV-1-infected patients, before and after dolutegravir initiation, between October 2016 and March 2017 at Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital. CKD-EPI equations were used to estimate mean GFR from creatinine and cystatin C values. Variations were analysed by paired t-test.

Results

Forty-four patients were included [median age = 48 years (IQR 36-58) and median CD4 count = 592 cells/mm3 (IQR 388-728)], including 6 ART-naive patients and 38 on switch strategies [72% with viral load <50 copies/mL and median ART duration = 13 years (IQR 5-20)]. Before dolutegravir initiation (median time = 41 days), 19 patients (43%) had creatinine-based estimated GFR <90 mL/min/1.73 m2 and 11 (25%) had cystatin C-based estimated GFR <90 mL/min/1.73 m2. After dolutegravir initiation, serum creatinine values significantly increased (+8.6 μmol/L, 95% CI +5.8; +11.4, P < 0.001) and associated estimated GFR significantly decreased (-7.7 mL/min/1.73 m2, 95% CI -10.4; -5.1, P < 0.001). In contrast, there was no significant change in cystatin C value variation and associated estimated GFR. The same results were observed regardless of renal function at baseline.

Conclusions

Creatinine values increased after dolutegravir initiation, whereas no change was observed for cystatin C values. Use of cystatin C may enable better understanding of plasma creatinine fluctuations after dolutegravir initiation, particularly in high-risk renal patients.

Comparative efficacy and safety and dolutegravir and lamivudine in treatment naive HIV patients

Objective:

Compare the efficacy and safety of the 2-drug antiretroviral therapy regimen dolutegravir + lamivudine (DTG + 3TC) with traditional 3-drug regimens in treatment-naive patients with HIV-1.

Design:

Data from double-blind, randomized controlled trials of at least 48 weeks’ duration in treatment-naive patients with HIV-1 identified by systematic review were evaluated using a Bayesian network meta-analysis methodology.

Methods:

The primary outcome was virologic suppression at Week 48 for 3-drug regimens versus DTG + 3TC (also analyzed in patient subgroup with baseline viral load >100 000 RNA copies/ml). Secondary outcomes included CD4⁺ cell count change from baseline and safety (adverse events, serious adverse events, and drug-related adverse events) at Week 48.

Results:

The network contains 14 unique regimens from 14 randomized controlled trials based on data from 10 043 patients. The proportional difference for viral suppression at 48 weeks for DTG + 3TC versus the other 13 regimens included in the network ranged from −2.7% (−11.0, 5.6%) versus DTG + tenofovir alafenamide/emtricitabine (FTC) to 7.3% (0.6, 13.8%) versus efavirenz + tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/FTC. DTG + 3TC was found to be significantly better than efavirenz + tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/FTC and similar to all other regimens analysed in terms of viral suppression at 48 weeks. With regard to other outcomes (CD4⁺, adverse event, serious adverse event, drug-related adverse events) at 48 weeks, DTG+3TC was broadly similar to all regimens analysed.

Conclusion:

This network meta-analysis demonstrates similar efficacy and safety outcomes over 48 weeks with DTG + 3TC compared with traditional 3-drug antiretroviral therapy regimens.

HIV DNA: a clinical marker of HIV reservoirs

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

A number studies are currently underway to develop new drugs aimed at reducing the HIV reservoir or achieving ART-free control of HIV infection. Many markers of HIV reservoirs have been proposed, each one having a different meaning. Total HIV DNA dynamics during the course of HIV infection and its predictive value are now well known. This marker allowed to estimate the size of HIV reservoir at different stages of HIV infection in blood, cell subsets and tissues. Therefore, the purpose of this review is timely and relevant, with the objective to discuss how total HIV DNA might be helpful in the clinical settings.

RECENT FINDINGS

Among the markers, it appears that HIV DNA is the most well studied, and recent articles confirmed that this marker is easy to use and is precise, specific, practical, robust and reproducible. All these characteristics correspond to what is expected from a helpful clinical marker.

SUMMARY

HIV DNA level could be considered as a global marker, and it is usually included in current clinical studies to describe the persistence and dynamics of the HIV reservoir, mainly in treated patients. HIV DNA might be helpful in designing clinical trials and personalized medication for HIV patients in the future.

Darunavir/ritonavir monotherapy at a low dose (600/100 mg/day) in HIV-1-infected individuals with suppressed HIV viraemia

Background

Darunavir/ritonavir is a potent PI with a high genetic barrier and pharmacological robustness favourably investigated as monotherapy. Whether darunavir could be dose reduced in the context of monotherapy deserves investigation.

Methods

Patients with HIV suppressed viraemia (plasma viral load <50 copies/mL for 12 months) under ART who had switched to darunavir/ritonavir monotherapy at 600/100 mg/day between 2013 and 2015 were included in this observational 48 week single-centre study. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with virological success (defined as plasma viral load <50 copies/mL) at week 24. Secondary outcomes included treatment strategy success and resistance.

Results

Thirty-one patients were included with the following baseline characteristics [median (IQR)]: age 52 years (47-57), CD4+ 649 cells/mm3 (463-813), ART duration 16.3 years (9.2-22.3), nadir CD4+ 195 cells/mm3 (144-261) and duration of HIV suppression 7.8 years (4.8-9.7). Prior to switch, ART consisted of PI monotherapy for 28 of 31 patients [darunavir/ritonavir 800/100 mg/day (n = 26), lopinavir/ritonavir (n = 1) and atazanavir/ritonavir (n = 1)] and a triple drug regimen for 3 of 31 patients. Within the 48 weeks of follow-up, no virological failure occurred and two patients discontinued 600/100 mg of darunavir/ritonavir due to side effects at week 16 and 40, leading to a virological suppression rate of 100% (95% CI = 89-100) at weeks 24 and 48. Strategy success rates were 96.8% (95% CI = 83.3-99.9) at week 24 and 93.5% (95% CI = 78.6-99.2) at week 48. Median (IQR) Ctrough values of 800/100 mg of darunavir/ritonavir and 600/100 mg of darunavir/ritonavir were 1537 ng/mL (1286-1724) and 1255 ng/mL (873-2161), respectively.

Conclusions

A lower dose of darunavir/ritonavir used as monotherapy (600/100 mg/day) was highly effective in virologically suppressed HIV-infected patients. Further studies are needed to confirm these data.

Dual antiretroviral therapy for HIV infection

INTRODUCTION

For two decades, triple combinations of antiretrovirals have been the standard treatment for HIV infection. The challenges of such lifelong therapy include long-term side effects, high costs and reduced drug adherence. The recent advent of more potent and safer antiretrovirals has renewed the interest for simpler HIV regimens. Areas covered: We discuss the pros and cons of dual antiretroviral therapies in both drug-naïve and in treatment-experienced patients with viral suppression (switch strategy). Expert opinion: Some dual antiretroviral regimens are safe and efficacious, particularly as maintenance therapy. At this time, combinations of dolutegravir plus rilpivirine represent the best dual regimen. Longer follow-up and larger study populations are needed before supporting dolutegravir plus lamivudine. In contrast, dual therapy based on maraviroc is less effective. Although dual regimens with boosted protease inhibitors plus either lamivudine or raltegravir may be effective, they are penalized by metabolic side effects and risk for drug interactions. The newest dual regimens could save money, reduce toxicity and spare drug options for the future. For the first time in HIV therapeutics, less can be more. Dual therapy switching has set up a new paradigm in HIV treatment that uses induction-maintenance.