Bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide plus doravirine in highly treatment-experienced men with multidrug-resistant HIV

Clinical considerations when switching antiretroviral therapy

INTRODUCTION

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) can be personalized through simple formulations with high resistance barriers, favorable safety profiles, and novel administration routes. Switching treatments has become a key clinical strategy for addressing drug toxicity and interactions and enhancing adherence and convenience. This strategy aims to improve the quality of life and long-term efficacy, even in challenging cases like people living with HIV (PLWH) with multiple comorbidities, prior virological failure, and drug resistance.

AREAS COVERED

The authors reviewed clinical trials and cohort studies providing evidence of benefits and risks of current antiretroviral (ARV) drugs as switching options for PLWH in various scenarios. The literature search included clinical trials, meta-analyses, observational studies, and review articles in English published after 2000, and current HIV treatment guidelines in English and Spanish as of February 2024.

EXPERT OPINION

New ARV drugs offer advantages in efficacy and safety over previous options but may also have adverse effects. Second-generation integrase inhibitors and tenofovir alafenamide show benefits as switching options in various scenarios, though more research is needed on potential weight gain and metabolic issues. Injectable long-acting ART is promising for switching strategies, but finding the optimal combination of new drugs remains challenging.

Bictegravir/Emtricitabine/Tenofovir Alafenamide for HIV-1: What is the Hidden Potential of This Emerging Treatment?

Bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (B/F/TAF) is a single-tablet antiretroviral therapy regimen. B/F/TAF has become a popular treatment choice because of its small tablet size, high barrier to resistance, favorable tolerability, and limited drug-drug interaction profile. Continued research on B/F/TAF has revealed additional potential for this regimen. This review presents recent literature supporting the use of B/F/TAF as an option for consolidating therapy and maintaining virologic suppression in individuals despite M184V/I mutations. Additionally, children are a unique patient population with limited antiviral options. Standard dose B/F/TAF has demonstrated similar drug exposure in children and adolescents as adults, and low-dose B/F/TAF is approved for children living with HIV greater than two years of age and weighing at least 14 kg. Data supporting this recommendation is described in this review. Finally, despite a lack of prospective data, B/F/TAF may have a role in the future of pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis. This review discusses these discoveries and the continued exploration of the hidden potential of B/F/TAF.