Background/Objectives: Out of 39.9 million adults living with HIV in 2022, 20 million were women. Despite bearing a significant burden, women remain underrepresented in clinical trials, including those for antiretroviral treatments (ART). This study evaluates the safety and efficacy of the bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (B/F/TAF) regimen in a real-life cohort of 99 women with HIV (females with HIV, FWH) over 48 and 96 weeks. Methods: A retrospective cohort study utilized data from the Sardinian HIV Network and Sicilian HIV Cohort (SHiNe-SHiC) research group. The study included FWH, who started B/F/TAF as a treatment switch. The primary objectives were achieving and maintaining an HIV RNA level of <50 copies/mL at 48 and 96 weeks. Secondary objectives included treatment safety, durability, and reasons for discontinuation. Data on demographics, viro-immunological markers, lipid profiles, and treatment interruptions were extracted for analysis. Results: Among the 99 FWH, the median age was 51.9 years, and the median duration of HIV was 15.1 years. At baseline, 80.8% had undetectable HIV-RNA, which increased to 93.8% at 96 weeks. There was a statistically significant increase in CD4 cells/mL (48w p < 0.001, 96w p < 0.001) and CD4/CD8 ratio (48w p < 0.009, 96w p < 0.048), and reductions in total cholesterol (48w p < 0.003, 96w p < 0.006) and LDL (48w p < 0.004, 96w p < 0.009) levels at 48 and 96 weeks. Nine treatment interruptions were noted, with one due to adverse events. The regimen was well-tolerated overall. Conclusions: B/F/TAF demonstrated high efficacy and safety in this real-world cohort of FWH, highlighting the critical need for gender-focused research in HIV treatment. Ensuring equitable access to effective treatment options for women is imperative for the global health community’s efforts to eliminate HIV.
Viro-Immunological Efficacy and Safety of Bictegravir/Emtricitabine/Tenofovir Alafenamide among Women Living with HIV: A 96-Week Post-Switch Analysis from the Real-Life SHiNe-SHiC Cohort
Ceccarelli, Manuela;
2024-01-01
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Out of 39.9 million adults living with HIV in 2022, 20 million were women. Despite bearing a significant burden, women remain underrepresented in clinical trials, including those for antiretroviral treatments (ART). This study evaluates the safety and efficacy of the bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (B/F/TAF) regimen in a real-life cohort of 99 women with HIV (females with HIV, FWH) over 48 and 96 weeks. Methods: A retrospective cohort study utilized data from the Sardinian HIV Network and Sicilian HIV Cohort (SHiNe-SHiC) research group. The study included FWH, who started B/F/TAF as a treatment switch. The primary objectives were achieving and maintaining an HIV RNA level of <50 copies/mL at 48 and 96 weeks. Secondary objectives included treatment safety, durability, and reasons for discontinuation. Data on demographics, viro-immunological markers, lipid profiles, and treatment interruptions were extracted for analysis. Results: Among the 99 FWH, the median age was 51.9 years, and the median duration of HIV was 15.1 years. At baseline, 80.8% had undetectable HIV-RNA, which increased to 93.8% at 96 weeks. There was a statistically significant increase in CD4 cells/mL (48w p < 0.001, 96w p < 0.001) and CD4/CD8 ratio (48w p < 0.009, 96w p < 0.048), and reductions in total cholesterol (48w p < 0.003, 96w p < 0.006) and LDL (48w p < 0.004, 96w p < 0.009) levels at 48 and 96 weeks. Nine treatment interruptions were noted, with one due to adverse events. The regimen was well-tolerated overall. Conclusions: B/F/TAF demonstrated high efficacy and safety in this real-world cohort of FWH, highlighting the critical need for gender-focused research in HIV treatment. Ensuring equitable access to effective treatment options for women is imperative for the global health community’s efforts to eliminate HIV.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
