Patient and Physician Preferences for Regimen Attributes for the Treatment of HIV in the United States and Canada

Patient and clinic staff perspectives on the implementation of a long-acting injectable antiretroviral therapy program in an urban safety-net health system

BACKGROUND

Long-acting injectable cabotegravir plus rilpivirine (LAI CAB/RPV) has several potential benefits over daily oral formulations for HIV treatment, including the potential to facilitate long-term adherence and reduce pill fatigue. We aimed to assess facilitators of and barriers to LAI CAB/RPV implementation and delivery through the perspectives of physicians and clinical staff, and the experiences of LAI CAB/RPV use among people living with HIV (PLWH) at a Ryan-White supported safety-net clinic in North Texas.

METHODS

We conducted semi-structured interviews with recruited clinic staff (physicians, nurses, and support staff) involved with LAI CAB/RPV implementation and PLWH who switched to LAI CAB/RPV and consented to participate in individual interviews. Data were collected from July to October 2023. Our interview guide was informed by the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance (RE-AIM), and Proctor Implementation Outcomes frameworks. Qualitative data were analyzed using a rapid qualitative analysis approach to summarize key themes.

RESULTS

We recruited and interviewed 15 PLWH who transitioned to LAI CAB/RPV and 11 clinic staff serving these patients. PLWH conveyed that emotional and informational support from family or a trusted clinician influenced their decision to switch to LAI CAB/RPV. PLWH also reported that injectable treatment was more effective, convenient, and acceptable than oral antiretroviral therapy. Clinic staff and physicians reported that staff training, pharmacist-led medication switches, flexible appointments, refrigeration space and designated room for injection delivery facilitated implementation. Clinic staff cited medication costs, understaffing, insurance prior authorization requirements, and lack of medication access through state drug assistance programs as critical barriers.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study offers insights into real-world experiences with LAI usage from the patient perspective and identifies potential strategies to promote LAI CAB/RPV uptake. The barriers to and facilitators of LAI CAB/RPV program implementation reported by clinic staff in our study may be useful for informing strategies to optimize LAI CAB/RPV programs.

Acceptability of Long-Acting Injectable Antiretroviral Treatment for HIV Management: Perspectives of Patients and Physicians in Spain

We assessed the prevalence and factors associated with HIV-infected patients' interest in trying long-acting injectable antiretroviral treatment (LAI-ART) along with its expected benefits and concerns, and evaluated physicians' opinions about LAI-ART. This study was set within the multi-center prospective CoRIS cohort, comprising HIV-positive adults, naïve to antiretroviral treatment (ART) at study entry, recruited from 2004 onward in 48 centers in Spain. In June 2022, we conducted a 2-day cross-sectional survey among patients across 34 CoRIS centers and sent an online questionnaire to all physicians prescribing ART in 39 CoRIS centers. Of the 271 patients included, 83.3% [95% confidence interval (CI)]: 78.0 - 87.0%) expressed interest in receiving LAI-ART. This interest was higher among men (adjusted odds ratio: 2.96; 95% CI: 1.4-6.12), those aged <50 years (2.41; 1.23 - 4.73), and individuals inconvenienced by oral ART (5.03; 1.47 - 17.15), daily intake (14.65; 3.44-62.46), carrying HIV pills constantly (7.19; 2.88 - 17.96), and taking multiple medications (3.94; 1.58 - 9.85). Among the 154 physicians surveyed, 45.5% believed LAI-ART would be the preferred option for patients. Although most physicians (92.9%) thought LAI-ART could improve patients' quality of life (QoL), concerns were raised by 37.7% and 44.2% of them regarding injection site pain and visit rescheduling, respectively. Interest in LAI-ART was higher among men, those aged <50 years, and individuals finding their oral ART inconvenient. Physicians believed LAI-ART could improve QoL and overcome treatment challenges, yet concerns were raised about its potential usage difficulties. Although most patients were interested in receiving LAI-ART, only less than half of the physicians considered it their preferred option, likely owing to concerns about missed visits and injection site pain.

Switching to Dolutegravir/Lamivudine Two-Drug Regimen: Durability and Virologic Outcomes by Age, Sex, and Race in Routine US Clinical Care

Purpose

Two-drug regimens (2DR) may address drug-drug interactions and toxicity concerns. Dolutegravir/lamivudine (DTG/3TC) 2DR was approved in the US for both treatment-naïve and treatment-experienced individuals with a viral load <50 copies/mL. This study describes real-world DTG/3TC 2DR treatment outcomes among treatment-experienced individuals, stratified by age, sex, and race.

Methods

From the OPERA® cohort, people with HIV with a viral load <50 copies/mL who switched from a commonly used three-drug regimen to DTG/3TC 2DR as per the label between April 8, 2019 and April 30, 2021 were included. Incidence rates (Poisson regression) for loss of virologic control (first viral load ≥50 copies/mL), confirmed virologic failure (2 viral loads ≥200 copies/mL or discontinuation after 1 viral load ≥200 copies/mL), and DTG/3TC 2DR discontinuation were estimated overall and stratified by age, sex, and race.

Results

The 787 individuals included were followed for a median of 13.6 months (IQR: 8.2, 22.3). Confirmed virologic failure occurred in ≤5 individuals. Loss of virologic control occurred at a rate of 14.0 per 100 person-years (95% CI: 11.7, 16.8). DTG/3TC 2DR discontinuation occurred at a rate of 17.5 per 100 person-years (95% CI: 15.0, 20.3); 4% discontinued for treatment-related reasons (viremia, adverse diagnosis, side effect, lab abnormality). For all outcomes, incidence rates were comparable across strata of age, sex, and race.

Conclusion

This descriptive study demonstrates that DTG/3TC 2DR is an effective and well-tolerated treatment option for people with HIV with a viral load <50 copies/mL at switch, regardless of their age, sex, or race.

"What Is the Benefit?": Perceptions and Preferences for Long-Acting Injectable Antiretroviral Therapy Among People Living With HIV

Long-acting injectable antiretroviral therapy (LA-ART) expands treatment options for people living with HIV (PLWH). This qualitative study characterizes LA-ART awareness, perceptions, and preferences among PLWH engaged in HIV care. From 2019 through 2021, we conducted semistructured in-depth interviews with 71 PLWH sampled from three clinics in three U.S. settings (North Carolina, Washington, DC, Massachusetts). Transcripts were analyzed using narrative and thematic techniques. Participant mean age was 46 years (range 24-72); most were cisgender men (55%) and virally suppressed (73%). Most participants had not heard of LA-ART and reacted with a mix of excitement and cautiousness. Potential LA-ART benefits included easier adherence, privacy, and effectiveness; concerns included effectiveness, side effects, costs, and increased clinic visits. Participants appreciated that LA-ART could support achieving and sustaining viral suppression. To inform their decision, participants wanted more information and convenient access and administration. Findings indicated that a shared decision-making approach and economic and logistical support for PLWH could facilitate LA-ART uptake.