Highs, Lows, and Hormones: A Qualitative Metasynthesis of Transgender Individuals' Experiences Undergoing Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy

Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy (GAHT) is a key therapeutic approach which aims to help trans and gender diverse (or simply "trans") individuals' transition from their sex-presumed-at-birth to their experienced gender identity. Previous reviews have focused on synthesizing quantitative experiences; however, a qualitative lens is important to understand the personal journey of GAHT. This review provides a qualitative meta-synthesis of the experiences of trans people around the world who have undergone GAHT to elicit contextualized understanding of the changes experienced. Systematic searches of eight databases identified an initial 2670 papers, refined to a final 28 papers. Overall, findings suggested that the GAHT journey is unique and elicited a myriad of changes which, whilst challenging at times, were life-changing and brought about positive psychological, physical, and social changes. Other themes explored GAHT not being treated as a fix-all for associated mental health issues, the rules that govern appraisal of physical changes, how privilege and social identity evolve, and the power of affirmation. This work offers important recommendations to improve the care offered to trans people undergoing GAHT. Namely, person-centered support is essential, and peer-navigation may be a useful future direction to explore.

Efficacy and safety of dolutegravir/lamivudine in virologically suppressed female participants: week 48 data from the pooled TANGO and SALSA studies

OBJECTIVES

Women represent >50% of people with HIV globally but have historically been underrepresented in clinical trials. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of switching to dolutegravir/lamivudine (DTG/3TC) vs continuing their current antiretroviral regimen (CAR) by sex assigned at birth (female and male) in virologically suppressed adults with HIV-1 without prior virological failure in a pooled analysis of two randomized controlled trials.

METHODS

This analysis included 48-week data from the phase 3 TANGO and SALSA studies. Primary and key secondary endpoints included proportions of participants with HIV-1 RNA ≥50 and <50 copies/mL at week 48, respectively. Safety was also assessed.

RESULTS

Of 1234 participants, 250 (DTG/3TC, n = 133; CAR, n = 117) were female at birth. Week 48 proportions of participants with Snapshot HIV-1 RNA ≥50 copies/mL were similar regardless of sex at birth (DTG/3TC vs CAR: female, <1% [1/133] vs 2% [2/117]; male, <1% [1/482] vs <1% [3/502]). Proportions with HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL were high across sexes and treatment groups (DTG/3TC vs CAR: female, 91% [121/133] vs 89% [104/117]; male, 94% [455/482] vs 94% [471/502]). Immunological response with DTG/3TC was slightly higher in female participants. Incidences of adverse events leading to withdrawal and serious adverse events were low and comparable between treatment groups and across sexes. Weight gain was higher with DTG/3TC than with CAR among female participants aged ≥50 years (treatment difference 2.08 kg [95% confidence interval 0.40-3.75]).

CONCLUSIONS

Results confirm the robustness of DTG/3TC as a switch option in virologically suppressed females with HIV-1, with outcomes similar to those in males.

Durable Efficacy of Switching From a 3- or 4-Drug Tenofovir Alafenamide-Based Regimen to the 2-Drug Regimen Dolutegravir/Lamivudine in the TANGO Study Through Week 196

BACKGROUND

Switching to the 2-drug regimen dolutegravir/lamivudine demonstrated durable non-inferior efficacy vs continuing 3- or 4-drug tenofovir alafenamide-based regimens for maintaining virologic suppression in people with HIV-1 through Week 144 in TANGO.

SETTING

134 centers, 10 countries.

METHODS

Adults with HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL for >6 months and no history of virologic failure were randomized to switch from stable tenofovir alafenamide-based regimens to dolutegravir/lamivudine on Day 1 (early-switch group) for 196 weeks. Those randomized to continue tenofovir alafenamide-based regimens on Day 1 who maintained virologic suppression at Week 144 switched to dolutegravir/lamivudine at Week 148 (late-switch group). Efficacy, safety, and tolerability (including weight and biomarker changes) of dolutegravir/lamivudine in early-switch and late-switch groups were assessed through Week 196.

RESULTS

Overall, 369 participants switched to dolutegravir/lamivudine on Day 1 (early-switch) and 298 switched at Week 148 (late-switch). In the early-switch group, 83% (306/369) maintained virologic suppression through Year 4, and 3% (11/369) reported new adverse events between Weeks 144 and 196. The late-switch group at Week 196 and early-switch group at Week 48 had comparable proportions with virologic suppression (93% each) and similar safety profiles. No late-switch participants and 1 early-switch participant met confirmed virologic withdrawal criteria through Week 196, with no resistance-associated mutations observed. Treatment continued to be well tolerated long-term.

CONCLUSION

Switching from tenofovir alafenamide-based regimens to dolutegravir/lamivudine showed durable efficacy, high barrier to resistance, and good tolerability through 4 years. These results support dolutegravir/lamivudine as a robust treatment for maintaining virologic suppression.

Impact of harm reduction practice on the use of non-prescribed performance and image-enhancing drugs: The PUSH! Audit

METHOD

The PUSH! Audit was a cross-sectional study performed from May 2019 to May 2021. With each audit submitted, general practitioners (GPs) were asked about the impact of their engagement with their patients.

RESULTS

In all, 144 audit responses were collected, with 81.6% of audits showing a change in behaviour. The changes noted were better monitoring (71.3%), treatment of adverse effects (64.4%), modified use (44.4%) and stopped use (12.2%).

DISCUSSION

This study asking GPs about outcomes with each of their patients using non-prescribed PIEDs has shown significant changes in behaviour. There has been no previous work done to evaluate the potential impact of such engagement. The findings of this exploratory study of the PUSH! Audit suggest harm reduction for people who use non-prescribed PIEDs when engaged with GP clinics.

Efficacy and Safety of Switching to Dolutegravir/Lamivudine Versus Continuing a Tenofovir Alafenamide-Based 3- or 4-Drug Regimen for Maintenance of Virologic Suppression in Adults Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1: Results Through Week 144 From the Phase 3, Noninferiority TANGO Randomized Trial

BACKGROUND

Switching to dolutegravir/lamivudine (DTG/3TC) was noninferior to continuing tenofovir alafenamide (TAF)-based regimens for maintaining virologic suppression at week 48 of the TANGO study. Here we present week 144 outcomes (efficacy, safety, weight, and biomarkers).

METHODS

TANGO is a randomized (1:1, stratified by baseline third agent class), open-label, noninferiority phase 3 study. Virologically suppressed (>6 months) adults with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) switched to once-daily DTG/3TC or continued TAF-based regimens.

RESULTS

A total of 741 participants received study treatment (DTG/3TC, n = 369; TAF-based regimen, n = 372). At week 144, the proportion of participants with an HIV-1 RNA level ≥50 copies/mL (primary end point, Snapshot; intention-to-treat-exposed population) after switching to DTG/3TC was 0.3% (1 of 369) versus 1.3% (5 of 372) for those continuing TAF-based regimens, demonstrating noninferiority (adjusted treatment difference, -1.1 [95% confidence interval, -2.4 to .2), with DTG/3TC favored in the per-protocol analysis (adjusted treatment difference, -1.1 [-2.3 to -.0]; P = .04). Few participants met confirmed virologic withdrawal criteria (none in the DTG/3TC and 3 in the TAF-based regimen group), with no resistance observed. Drug-related adverse events were more frequent with DTG/3TC (15%; leading to discontinuation in 4%) than TAF-based regimens (5%; leading to discontinuation in 1%) through week 144, but rates were comparable after week 48 (4%; leading to discontinuation in 1% in both groups). Changes from baseline in lipid values generally favored DTG/3TC; no clinical impact on renal function and comparable changes in inflammatory and bone biomarkers across groups were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Switching to DTG/3TC demonstrated noninferior and durable efficacy compared with continuing TAF-based regimens in treatment-experienced adults with HIV-1, with good safety and tolerability, and no resistance through 144 weeks.

900. Switching to DTG/3TC Fixed-Dose Combination (FDC) Is Non-inferior to Continuing a TAF-Based Regimen (TBR) in Maintaining Virologic Suppression Through 144 Weeks (TANGO Study)

Background

DTG/3TC is a complete 2-drug regimen (2DR) for the treatment of HIV-1 infection. Non-inferior virologic efficacy has been proven over 3 years in treatment-naive people living with HIV (PLWH) and 2 years in a stable switch setting.

Methods

TANGO, a randomized, open-label, non-inferiority study, evaluates efficacy and safety of switching to DTG/3TC in PLWH who are virologically suppressed ( &gt; 6 months, no prior virologic failure [VF], no major NRTI/INSTI resistance) vs remaining on a 3- or 4-drug TAF-based regimen (TBR), stratified by baseline 3rd agent class. Week 144 analyses assessed non-inferiority (NI) with a 4% NI margin for Snapshot virologic failure (VF) and 8% for virologic success (VS; FDA Snapshot algorithm, intention-to-treat–exposed [ITT-E] population).

Results

Of 741 randomized/exposed pts (DTG/3TC: 369; TBR: 372), most pts entered the study on EVG/c (66%). For Week 144 Snapshot VF, switching to DTG/3TC was non-inferior to continuing TBR in the ITT-E analysis: 0.3% vs 1.3%; adjusted difference (95% CI): −1.1% (−2.4%, 0.2%) and superior to TBR in the per-protocol analysis: 0% vs 1.1%; adjusted difference: −1.1% (−2.3, −0.0); P=0.044 (2-sided). Snapshot VS was high in both arms and demonstrated non-inferiority (Table). Zero pts on DTG/3TC and 3 (0.8%) on TBR met confirmed virologic withdrawal criteria with no resistance observed. Zero pts on DTG/3TC and 6 (1.6%) on TBR discontinued for lack of efficacy. Overall AE rates were similar between arms (Table). TC, LDL-C, and triglycerides improved with DTG/3TC, HDL-C improved with TBR, with no difference in TC/HDL-C ratio between arms. Changes in eGFR (cystatin C) and proximal tubular function marker were similar across arms. Adjusted mean change from BL in weight was 2.2 and 1.7 kg in the DTG/3TC and TBR arms, respectively, and proportion of pts with &gt; 10% weight increase was similar across arms (13% and 12%, respectively).

Table. Efficacy and Key Safety Results for the ITT-E and Safety Population

Conclusion

Switching to the 2-drug regimen of DTG/3TC from a TAF-based 3- or 4-drug regimen resulted in high, non-inferior efficacy with zero confirmed virologic withdrawals and good tolerability over 3 years of treatment. DTG/3TC 2DR is a robust switch option with durable efficacy, good safety and tolerability, and a high barrier to resistance.

Disclosures

Olayemi Osiyemi, M.D, Gilead (Advisor or Review Panel member, Speaker’s Bureau)Merck (Advisor or Review Panel member)ViiV Healthcare (Advisor or Review Panel member, Speaker’s Bureau) Fiona Bisshop, MBBBS, Gilead (Grant/Research Support)ViiV Healthcare (Grant/Research Support) Stéphane De Wit, MD, Gilead (Grant/Research Support)Janssen (Grant/Research Support)Merck Sharpe & Dohme (Grant/Research Support)ViiV Healthcare (Grant/Research Support) Joaquín Portilla, MD, AbbVie (Other Financial or Material Support)Gilead (Grant/Research Support, Other Financial or Material Support)Janssen (Grant/Research Support, Other Financial or Material Support)Merck Sharpe & Dohme (Other Financial or Material Support)ViiV Healthcare (Grant/Research Support, Other Financial or Material Support) Jean-Pierre Routy, MD, FRCPC, ViiV Healthcare (Grant/Research Support) Mounir Ait-Khaled, PhD, ViiV Healthcare (Employee) Keith Pappa, PharmD, Glaxo Smith Kline (Shareholder)ViiV Healthcare (Employee) Ruolan Wang, Master of Science, ViiV Healthcare (Employee) Peter Leone, MD, viiv healthcare (Employee) Jonathan Wright, MSc, GlaxoSmithKline (Employee, Shareholder) Brian Wynne, MD, ViiV Healthcare (Employee, Shareholder, I have shares in GSK, the part owner of ViiV) Jean A. van Wyk, MB,ChB, GlaxoSmithKline (Shareholder)ViiV Healthcare (Employee) Michael Aboud, MBChB, MRCP, GlaxoSmithKline (Shareholder)ViiV Healthcare (Employee) Kimberly Smith, MD, GlaxoSmithKline (Shareholder)ViiV Healthcare (Employee)

Efficacy and Safety of Switching to Dolutegravir/Lamivudine Fixed-Dose 2-Drug Regimen vs Continuing a Tenofovir Alafenamide-Based 3- or 4-Drug Regimen for Maintenance of Virologic Suppression in Adults Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1: Phase 3, Randomized, Noninferiority TANGO Study

Background

The 2-drug regimen dolutegravir (DTG) + lamivudine (3TC) is indicated for treatment-naive adults with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). We present efficacy and safety of switching to DTG/3TC in virologically suppressed individuals.

Methods

TANGO is an open-label, multicenter, phase 3 study that randomized adults (1:1, stratified by baseline third agent class) with HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL to switch to once-daily fixed-dose DTG/3TC or remain on a tenofovir alafenamide (TAF)–based regimen. The primary end point was proportion of participants with HIV-1 RNA ≥50 copies/mL at week 48 (US Food and Drug Administration Snapshot algorithm) in the intention-to-treat–exposed population (4% noninferiority margin).

Results

743 adults were enrolled; 741 received ≥1 dose of study drug (DTG/3TC, N = 369; TAF-based regimen, N = 372). At week 48, proportion of participants with HIV-1 RNA ≥50 copies/mL receiving DTG/3TC was 0.3% (1/369) vs 0.5% (2/372) with a TAF-based regimen (adjusted treatment difference [95% confidence interval], −0.3 [−1.2 to .7]), meeting noninferiority criteria. No participants receiving DTG/3TC and 1 receiving a TAF-based regimen met confirmed virologic withdrawal criteria, with no emergent resistance at failure. Drug-related grade ≥2 adverse events and withdrawals due to adverse events occurred in 17 (4.6%) and 13 (3.5%) participants with DTG/3TC and 3 (0.8%) and 2 (0.5%) with a TAF-based regimen, respectively.

Conclusions

DTG/3TC was noninferior in maintaining virologic suppression vs a TAF-based regimen at week 48, with no virologic failure or emergent resistance reported with DTG/3TC, supporting it as a simplification strategy for virologically suppressed people with HIV-1.

Clinical Trials Registration

NCT03446573.

Trends in practice: attitudes and challenges in the diagnosis, treatment and management of HIV infection in Australia

As life expectancy for people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (PLWHIV) increases, management models for HIV infection are changing. To understand approaches to practice within this shifting climate and across different medical settings, in 2017 we conducted a baseline survey among the main medical practitioner groups responsible for HIV-infection care in Australia: hospital-based physicians (HBP), sexual health physicians (SHP) and 'accredited general practitioners' (referred to in 2017 study as 's100 GPs'), who are GPs authorised to prescribe HIV therapies after completing accredited national training. The follow-up survey presented here explores any changes in approaches, attitudes and challenges associated with HIV-infection management among the same practitioner groups: 17 HBP, 15 SHP and 69 accredited GP (referred to throughout as GP; includes those with sexual health diploma). Analysis of survey results showed practices remained largely similar between surveys, with a few notable exceptions. Greater consistency in attitudes, knowledge and approaches was observed between the practitioner specialty groups, with only small differences between modes of practice. A trend towards earlier initiation of HIV treatment was also identified, with a higher proportion of practitioners than baseline reporting they were comfortable beginning therapy on the day of HIV diagnosis. The impact of the introduction of two-drug therapy in Australia was also explored. Although the majority of survey respondents (and SHP in particular) expressed greater preference for three-drug compared with two-drug regimens, interest in two-drug regimens appears to be growing and may influence future prescribing practices. Addressing mental health issues for PLWHIV was again highlighted as a major priority, with practitioners overwhelmingly reporting mental health management as among their most difficult clinical challenges. Reduction in stigma/discrimination and better access to substance dependency programmes were also identified as unmet needs for this patient cohort. Consistent with our baseline survey, it appears targeted interventions and supports appropriate to this population are still required to improve overall wellbeing for PLWHIV.

HIV in practice: current approaches and challenges in the diagnosis, treatment and management of HIV infection in Australia

As treatment improves, people living with HIV (PLWHIV) can now expect to live longer, which means that the foci of HIV-related care for them and their medical practitioners continue to change. With an increasingly older cohort of patients with HIV infection, practitioners' key considerations are shifting from issues of acute treatment and patient survival to multiple comorbidities, toxicities associated with chronic therapy, and ongoing health maintenance. Within this context, this paper explores the current standard of practice for the management of HIV infection in Australia. We surveyed 56 Australian practitioners currently involved in managing HIV infection: 'HIV section 100' (HIV therapy-prescribing) general practitioners (s100 GPs; n = 26), sexual health physicians (SHPs; n = 24) and hospital-based physicians (HBPs; n = 6). Survey results for practice approaches and challenges were broadly consistent across the three practitioner specialties, apart from a few key areas. s100 GPs reported less prophylaxis use among patients whom they deemed at risk of HIV infection in comparison with SHPs, which may reflect differences in patient populations. Further, a higher proportion of s100 GPs nominated older HIV treatment regimens as their preferred therapy choices compared with the other specialties. In contrast with SHPs, s100 GPs were less likely to switch HIV therapies to simplify the treatment protocol, and to immediately initiate treatment upon patient request in those newly diagnosed with HIV infection. Considerably lower levels of satisfaction with current HIV practice guidelines were also reported by s100 GPs. It appears that greater support for s100 GPs may be needed to address these identified challenges and enhance approaches to HIV practice. Across all specialties, increasing access to mental health services for patients with HIV infection was reported as a key management issue. A renewed focus on providing improved mental health and wellbeing supports is recommended, particularly in the face of an ageing HIV-infected population.

A melanoma octamer binding protein is responsive to differentiating agents

Analysis of human melanocytes and melanoma cell lines for proteins interacting with the octamer control sequence (ATGCAAAT) has revealed two distinct melanoma octamer binding proteins, Oct-M1 and Oct-M2. The latter was restricted to cell lines derived from tumor metastases. The level of Oct-M1 activity in a pigmented melanoma line was enhanced in comparison to the general octamer binding protein Oct-1 when cells were cultured in the presence of the depigmenting agent dithiothreitol and conversely was reduced by the differentiating and pigment inducing agents butyric acid and dimethyl sulfoxide.

The value of MLA 144 culture fluid for the isolation of human immunodeficiency virus

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was readily isolated by co-cultivation of patients' cells with phytohaemagglutinin-stimulated mononuclear cells from umbilical cord blood in 2 ml cultures in 24-well plates. Fluids from cultures of the MLA 144 cell line acted as an excellent source of interleukin-2, and promoted early replication of HIV in the primary cultures. Reverse transcriptase activity was commonly present at significant levels by 4-7 days. In contrast, recombinant IL-2 (recIL-2) did not promote early replication under these conditions. Adequate washing of the phytohaemagglutinin blasts was critical in this system, although others have reported it to be less important under other culture conditions. Cell concentrations and HIV: target cell ratios appeared not to play a major role in early outgrowth of virus. The particular sheep anti-alpha interferon tested resulted in a two-fold reduction in RT activity. Virus was readily transmitted in this simplified cheaper culture system.