Dual antiretroviral therapies are effective and safe regimens in the central nervous system of neurologically symptomatic people living with HIV

Changes in Cerebrospinal Fluid, Liver and Intima-media-thickness Biomarkers in Patients with HIV-associated Neurocognitive Disorders Randomized to a Less Neurotoxic Treatment Regimen

The prevalence of neurocognitive impairment in people living with HIV is estimated between 30 and 50%. The pathogenesis of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders is complex and multifactorial. Aim of the study was to measure the change in CSF biomarkers, Fibroscan and IMT measurements in PLWH with HAND randomized to a less neurotoxic regimen, or continuing their treatment. Adult patients with HAND were screened and enrolled if presenting no major resistance associated mutations, no HIV viral replication, not on efavirenz or darunavir, with R5-tropic HIV and without major confounding conditions. Lumbar puncture, IMT and Fibroscan measurements were performed. After 1:1 randomization to a less neurotoxic regimen consisting of darunavir/cobicistat plus emtricitabine plus maraviroc, or mantaining actual care, tests were repeated after 24 weeks: CSF biomarkes (HIV RNA, tau, p-tau, Beta-amyloid1-42, S100Beta and neopterin) were included. Non-parametric tests (Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon's) were used. 28 participants completed the study. Male and European ancestry were prevalent; median age was 55 years (51-60). All patients were virally suppressed; median CD4 + count was 626 cell/uL (469-772). Baseline characteristics were similar between the study arms. A significant decrease in CSF p-tau and an increase in CSF neopterin and NFL were observed. We observed a significant reduction in liver stiffness at W24. Despite a small sample size we observed changes in neuromarkers and in hepatic stiffness in patients randomized to the experimental arm. We observed changes in CSF biomarkers (lower phosphorylated-tau and higher neopterin and NFL) that need to be replicated in large cohorts. Subclinical neurotoxicity may be observed in patients with HAND and warrants prospective studies.

The presence of resistance‐associated mutations in reverse transcriptase gene is associated with cerebrospinal fluid HIV‐1 escape: A multicentric retrospective analysis

Higher risk of cerebrospinal fluid escape (CVE) has been associated with the use of specific antiretroviral (ARV) classes, such as protease inhibitors. We assessed whether archived resistance-associated mutations (RAMs) can mediate this relationship by identifying patients treated with incompletely active antiretroviral regimens. A retrospective multicentric study on 282 adult people with HIV on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and available historical plasma genotype resistance testing (HGRT) for reverse transcriptase (RT) and protease genes between 2001 and 2021. The odds ratio for demographic, clinic-, and ART-related variables and CVE was estimated by multivariable modeling. HGRT-adjusted central nervous system effectiveness penetration (CPE) score was computed in modeling the risk. Median age, plasma VL, and CD4 count were 49 years, <50 copies/mL, and 310 cells/μL. CVE was detected in 51 participants (17.0%). No difference in CVE prevalence was observed according to ART type, number of ARVs or ARV classes. Participants with CVE had more frequently plasma (52.9% vs. 32.1%, p = 0.005) and CSF RAMs in RT (n = 63, 57.1% vs. 28.6%, p = 0.029), but not in protease gene. The presence of plasma RAMs in RT associated with increased odds of CVE in adjusted analyses (aOR 3.9, p < 0.001) and in models restricted to plasma viral load ≤50 copies/mL (n = 202; aOR 4.3, p = 0.003). CVE risk decreased by 40% per each point increase in HGRT-adjusted CPE score in multivariable models (p < 0.001). Rather than the type of ARV classes or of ART regimens, functional mono or dual regimens caused by the presence of RAMs affecting ART components may explain the majority of cases of CVE.

Two-drug regimens for HIV treatment

Combination therapy with three antiretroviral agents has been integral to successful HIV-1 treatment since 1996. Although the efficacy, adverse effects, and toxicities of contemporary three-drug regimens have improved, even the newest therapies have potential adverse effects. The use of two-drug regimens is one way to reduce lifetime exposure to antiretroviral drugs while maintaining the benefits of viral suppression. Multiple large, randomised trials have shown the virological non-inferiority of certain two-drug regimens versus three-drug comparators, including adverse effect differences that reflect known profiles of the antiretroviral drugs in the respective regimens. Two-drug combinations are now recommended in treatment guidelines and include the first long-acting antiretroviral regimen for the treatment of HIV-1. Recommended two-drug regimens differ in their risks for, and factors associated with, virological failure and emergent resistance. The tolerability, safety, metabolic profiles, and drug interactions of two-drug regimens also vary by the constituent drugs. No current two-drug regimen is recommended for people with chronic hepatitis B virus as none include tenofovir. Two-drug regimens have increased options for individualised care.

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.

Risks and benefits of reducing the number of drugs to treat HIV-1 infection

Introduction: Despite the efficacy and safety of antiretroviral therapy, new treatment options are needed to address the concerns of patients and physicians regarding long-term toxicities, costs, and convenience of lifelong antiretroviral therapy. To achieve this goal, one strategy is to reduce the number of drugs in the antiretroviral regimen.Areas covered: We review the recent evidence on the efficacy and safety of reduced drug regimens and their potential risks and benefits. There is currently strong evidence showing that some two-drug regimens have a comparable efficacy and short-term safety compared to standard three-drug regimens. The fixed-dose combination of dolutegravir/lamivudine is already an alternative for many treatment-naïve and virologically suppressed HIV-1 infected adults supported by large randomized clinical trials. The co-formulation dolutegravir plus rilpivirine is also a switch strategy for maintenance therapy. Long-acting injectable cabotegravir plus rilpivirine has already regulatory approval, and islatravir plus doravirine is an expected option in the near future. Some two-drug regimens have not been as successful.Expert opinion: Long-term safety issues of these two-drug regimens remain to be determined, but with the overwhelming evidence available in virological control and short-term safety, the potential benefits of some of these two-drug regimens appear to outweigh the risks.