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Injectable PrEP Demonstrates Superiority for HIV Prevention

Long-acting cabotegravir (CAB) injected once every 8 weeks is superior to daily oral tenofovir/emtricitabine (TDF/FTC) in preventing HIV among cisgender men and transgender women who have sex with men, according to findings from the HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) 083 study.1 These findings were presented at the 23rd International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2020: Virtual).

“The HPTN 083 results demonstrating the superiority of CAB to TDF/FTC have the potential to transform the landscape of HIV prevention for cisgender [men who have sex with men] and transgender women,” said HPTN 083 protocol chair Raphael J. Landovitz, MD, from the University of California, Los Angeles, in a press release.2

“We know that some people have difficulty with or prefer not to take pills, and an injectable product such as long-acting CAB could be a very important option for them. We want to thank the study participants and research staff, as this study would not have been possible without their dedication and commitment,” Dr Landovitz added.2

These findings emerged from a randomized, controlled, double-blind trial (N = 4570) investigating the effects of CAB compared with TDF/FTC. The results of the trial indicated that CAB was associated with a 66% decrease in incident HIV infections compared with TDF/FTC. A total of 52 HIV infections had occurred over the course of follow-up (13 in the CAB group vs 39 in the TDF/FTC group, with incidence rates of 0.41 and 1.22, respectively).

These results prompted a Data and Safety Monitoring Board to recommend stopping the blinded part of the trial early after a review of HPTN 083 data, because the intervention had successfully achieved its specified objectives.

—Christina Vogt

References:

  1. Landovitz RJ, Donnell D, Clement M, et al. Pre-exposure Prophylaxis containing long-acting injectable cabotegravir is safe and highly effective for cisgender men and transgender women who have sex with men. Paper presented at: 23rd International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2020: Virtual); July 7, 2020; Virtual. https://www.hptn.org/research/studies/hptn083 Accessed July 7, 2020.
  2. HPTN 083 study demonstrates superiority of cabotegravir for the prevention of HIV. News release. HIV Prevention Trials Network; July 7, 2020. Accessed July 7, 2020. https://www.hptn.org/news-and-events/press-releases/hptn-083-study-demonstrates-superiority-cabotegravir-prevention-hiv