HIV/HCV therapy with ledipasvir/sofosbuvir after randomized switch to emtricitabine-tenofovir alafenamide-based single-tablet regimens

INTRODUCTION

Guidelines advocate the treatment of HCV in all HIV/HCV co-infected individuals. The aim of this randomized, open-label study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02707601; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02707601) was to evaluate the safety/efficacy of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir (LDV/SOF) co-administered with elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (E/C/F/TAF) or rilpivirine/F/TAF (R/F/TAF) in HIV-1/HCV co-infected participants.

METHODS

Participants with HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL and chronic HCV-genotype (GT) 1 (HCV treatment-naïve ± compensated cirrhosis or HCV treatment-experienced non-cirrhotic) were randomized 1:1 to switch to E/C/F/TAF or R/F/TAF. If HIV suppression was maintained at Week 8, participants received 12 weeks of LDV/SOF. The primary endpoint was sustained HCV virologic response 12 weeks after LDV/SOF completion (SVR12).

RESULTS

Of 150 participants, 148 received ≥1 dose of HIV study drug and 144 received LDV/SOF (72 in each F/TAF group; 83% GT1a, 94% HCV treatment-naïve, 12% cirrhotic). Overall, SVR12 was 97% (95% confidence interval: 93-99%). Black race did not affect SVR12. Of four participants not achieving SVR12, one had HCV relapse, one had HCV virologic non-response due to non-adherence, and two missed the post-HCV Week 12 visit. Of 148 participants, 96% receiving E/C/F/TAF and 95% receiving R/F/TAF maintained HIV suppression at Week 24; no HIV resistance was detected. No participant discontinued LDV/SOF or E/C/F/TAF due to adverse events; one participant discontinued R/F/TAF due to worsening of pre-existing hypercholesterolemia. Renal toxicity was not observed in either F/TAF regimen during LDV/SOF co-administration. In conclusion, high rates of HCV SVR12 and maintenance of HIV suppression were achieved with LDV/SOF and F/TAF-based regimens.

CONCLUSION

This study supports LDV/SOF co-administered with an F/TAF-based regimen in HIV-1/HCV-GT1 co-infected patients.

Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk Profile of Tenofovir Alafenamide Versus Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate

Background

In human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment, tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) is associated with greater increases in all fasting cholesterol subgroups compared with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF). Because lipid abnormalities may contribute to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, cardiovascular risk assessment is integral to routine HIV care. This post hoc study evaluates the impact of lipid changes on predicted atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk and statin eligibility in treatment-naive adults living with HIV treated with TAF or TDF.

Methods

Participants (N = 1744) were randomized (1:1) to initiate TAF or TDF, each coformulated with elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine (studies GS-US-292-0104 and GS-US-292-0111). Eligibility for statin therapy and estimated 10-year ASCVD risk among adults aged 40–79 years treated with TAF or TDF for 96 weeks (W96) were analyzed based on American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Pooled Cohort Equations. Categorical shifts in 10-year ASCVD risk from <7.5% to ≥7.5% by W96 on TAF versus TDF were calculated.

Results

Participants initiating TAF versus TDF in the overall study population showed small but significant increases in median fasting lipid parameters at W96, including total cholesterol (191 vs 177 mg/dL; P < .001), low-density lipoprotein ([LDL] 119 vs 112 mg/dL; P < .001), and high-density lipoprotein ([HDL] 51 vs 48 mg/dL; P < .001), respectively. At baseline, 18% and 23% on TAF versus TDF had a 10-year ASCVD risk score ≥7.5%, with mean risk scores low overall for TAF versus TDF at baseline (4.9% vs 5.4%; P = .35) and W96 (6.1% vs 6.2%; P = .04). Increases in ASCVD risk from baseline to W96 were driven by both increasing age and changes in total cholesterol (TC) and HDL cholesterol. At W96, TC/HDL ratios (median) were 3.7 for both groups (P = .69). There was no difference between shifts in categorical risk for TAF versus TDF (9% vs 5%; P = .19). Eligibility for high-intensity statin therapy were similar for TAF versus TDF groups (19% vs 21%; P = .47).

Conclusions

Lipid changes with TAF as part of coformulated regimens do not substantively affect CVD risk profiles compared with TDF.

Switching to the single-tablet regimen of elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, and tenofovir DF from non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor plus coformulated emtricitabine and tenofovir DF regimens: Week 96 results of STRATEGY-NNRTI

BACKGROUND

HIV-1-infected, virologically suppressed adults wanting to simplify or change their non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)-based regimens may benefit from switching to the single-tablet regimen of elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (E/C/F/TDF).

OBJECTIVE

We examined differences in the proportion of participants with HIV-1 RNA < 50 copies/mL (Snapshot analysis), change in CD4 cell count, safety, and patient-reported outcomes in participants switching to E/C/F/TDF from an NNRTI + FTC/TDF (TVD) regimen.

METHODS

STRATEGY-NNRTI was a 96-week, phase 3b, randomized, open-label, study examining the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of switching to E/C/F/TDF in virologically suppressed individuals (HIV-1 RNA < 50 copies/mL) on an NNRTI + TVD regimen. Participants were randomized to switch or remain on their NNRTI-based regimen (no-switch).

RESULTS

At Week 96, 87% (251/290) of switch and 80% (115/143) of no-switch participants maintained HIV-1 RNA < 50 copies/mL (difference 6.1%; 95% CI -1.3 to 14.2%; p = 0.12) according to the FDA-defined snapshot algorithm. Both groups had similar proportions of subjects with virologic failure (2.8% switch, 1.4% no-switch). Discontinuations resulting from adverse events were infrequent (3% [9/291] switch, 2% [3/143] no-switch). Three switch participants (1%) discontinued due to renal adverse events (2 of the 3 before Week 48). Switch participants reported significant improvements in neuropsychiatric symptoms by as early as Week 4, and which were maintained through Week 96.

CONCLUSIONS

E/C/F/TDF is safe and effective and reduces NNRTI-associated neuropsychiatric symptoms for virologically suppressed HIV-positive adults switching from an NNRTI plus FTC/TDF-based regimen.