New Dual Combination of Dolutegravir-Rilpivirine for Switching to Maintenance Antiretroviral Therapy.

New Dual Combination of Dolutegravir-Rilpivirine for Switching to Maintenance Antiretroviral Therapy. AIDS Rev. 2018;20(4):179-186 Authors: Ribera E Abstract Advances in antiretroviral therapy have led to dramatic improvements in survival of HIV-infected persons. However, HIV cure remains elusive and lifelong treatment is needed. Attempts for reducing long-term drug exposure, toxicities, and cost, while maintaining viral suppression, have led to explore whether maintenance strategies with less than triple therapy could be feasible using the newest more potent antiretrovirals. While monotherapies have failed to do so with selection of drug resistance, some dual combinations have proven its efficacy when used sequentially in patients with viral suppression under standard triple regimens. Furthermore, the advent of coformulations makes easier long-term drug adherence. Herein, we review the current experience with the new single tablet regimen of dolutegravir (DTG) and rilpivirine (RPV) (Juluca®). It is the first approved two-drug single-tablet regimen and the first dual nuc-sparing coformulation. Two randomized, non-inferiority clinical trials (SWORD-1 and -2) and five observational studies have evaluated DTG-RPV in treatment-experienced patients. Despite distinct inclusion criteria, more than 95% of patients kept plasma HIV-RNA undetectable for at least 48 weeks. Along with virological efficacy being non-inferior to triple regimens, t...
Source: AIDS Reviews - Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Tags: AIDS Rev Source Type: research