Pharmacokinetics and tolerability of the maturation inhibitor GSK3640254 coadministered with darunavir/ritonavir and/or etravirine in healthy adults.

AIMS: This phase I study investigated potential drug-drug interactions of the maturation inhibitor GSK3640254 (GSK'254) with darunavir/ritonavir (DRV/RTV) and/or etravirine (ETR). METHODS: In this randomized, open-label, single-sequence, multiple-dose study, healthy participants received GSK'254 200 mg once daily alone or coadministered with DRV/RTV 600/100 mg twice daily (BID; n = 19), ETR 200 mg BID (n = 19) or DRV/RTV 600/100 mg + ETR 200 mg BID (n = 16) under fed conditions. Primary endpoints were steady-state area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time 0 to the end of the dosing interval (AUC0-τ ) and maximum observed concentration (Cmax ). Secondary endpoints included trough concentration (Cτ ), safety and tolerability. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using standard noncompartmental analysis, and geometric least-squares mean ratios were derived from linear mixed-effects models. RESULTS: GSK'254 AUC0-τ (geometric least-squares mean ratio [90% confidence interval], 1.14 [1.00-1.29]), Cmax (1.07 [0.92-1.24]) and Cτ (1.17 [1.01-1.35]) were similar when administered alone and with DRV/RTV. Etravirine coadministration decreased GSK'254 AUC0-τ (0.53 [0.48-0.59]), Cmax (0.60 [0.53-0.68]) and Cτ (0.51 [0.39-0.66]). Similar reductions were not observed with GSK'254 + DRV/RTV + ETR (AUC0-τ , 0.94 [0.82-1.09]; Cmax , 0.89 [0.75-1.07]; Cτ , 1.02 [0.89-1.18]). GSK'254 had no meaningful effect on DRV/RTV or ETR concentrations. All reported adverse events (AEs) were grade 1; 3 led to withdrawal and resolved (rash, asymptomatic electrocardiogram T-wave inversion, periorbital oedema). Most common AEs were diarrhoea (n = 9) and headache (n = 7). No deaths or serious AEs occurred. CONCLUSION: GSK'254 pharmacokinetics was not meaningfully affected by DRV/RTV or DRV/RTV + ETR, but were reduced with only ETR; no new tolerability concerns were observed.

A phase I, first-in-human study investigating the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of the maturation inhibitor GSK3739937.

We report the safety and pharmacokinetic properties of the HIV-1 maturation inhibitor GSK3739937 (GSK'937) in healthy participants. This was a phase I, first-in-human, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, single- (part 1) and multiple- (part 2) dose escalation study with an additional open-label relative bioavailability and food effect study (part 3). Participants received oral ascending single doses (10-800 mg) in part 1, up to 18 once-daily 25- to 100-mg or 3 once-weekly 500-mg doses in part 2, and single 100-mg doses as powder-in-bottle or tablet (in fed and fasted states) formulations in part 3. Primary and secondary objectives were safety and pharmacokinetic assessments, respectively. Ninety-one participants were enrolled; 38 reported 81 total adverse events (AEs). All AEs in participants receiving GSK'937 were grade 1 or 2 and resolved during the study. Most drug-related AEs were gastrointestinal (14/17, 82%). The terminal phase half-life of GSK'937 was ~3 days for all doses following single and repeat dosing. Geometric mean maximum concentration and total drug exposures exhibited dose-proportional increases during part 1. Accumulation in exposure following repeat dosing was 6- to 7-fold with daily dosing and ~1.7-fold after weekly treatment, as expected due to the long half-life. Bioavailability of GSK'937 after a meal was 1.35- to 1.40-fold greater as a tablet versus powder-in-bottle and >2-fold higher in fed versus fasted states when provided as a tablet. No unexpected or dose-limiting safety events occurred. Pharmacokinetic parameters of long half-life and accumulation of exposure following repeat dosing suggest the potential for weekly oral dosing. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04493684.

Open-label, drug-drug interaction study between the HIV-1 maturation inhibitor GSK3640254 and a metabolic probe cocktail in healthy participants.

AIMS: GSK3640254 (GSK'254) is an HIV-1 maturation inhibitor with pharmacokinetics (PK) supporting once-daily dosing. GSK'254 will be co-administered with cytochrome P450 enzyme substrates and drug transporters, including other antiretrovirals, in people living with HIV-1 (PLWH). METHODS: In this open-label study, healthy participants received a single dose of a cocktail of eight cytochrome P450 and transporter probe substrates on Day 1, followed by a 10-day washout before receiving GSK'254 200 mg once daily from Days 11 to 20 and a single dose of cocktail + GSK'254 200 mg on Day 21. Geometric least-squares mean ratios and 90% confidence intervals were obtained using linear mixed-effects models. Adverse events (AEs) were monitored. RESULTS: Of 20 participants enrolled, 19 completed the study. Plasma concentrations of all cocktail substrates were generally similar with or without GSK'254 co-administration. All 90% confidence intervals around geometric least-squares mean ratios for cocktail substrate PK parameters indicated no to weak interactions. Steady-state plasma GSK'254 concentrations were achieved by Day 17 and maintained through Day 21. Nine participants (45%) reported 17 AEs; most (88%) were grade 1. Two grade 2 treatment-related AEs (maculopapular rash [leading to withdrawal] and papular rash) were reported during GSK'254 administration alone. CONCLUSIONS: Co-administration of GSK'254 with a metabolic probe cocktail in healthy participants indicated very low risk of clinically relevant effect on PK of any substrates or associated metabolites. No new safety/tolerability concerns were identified. These results support ongoing phase IIb and planned phase III studies of GSK'254 in people living with HIV-1.

Phase IIa Proof-of-Concept Evaluation of the Antiviral Efficacy, Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics of the Next-Generation Maturation Inhibitor GSK3640254.

BACKGROUND: GSK3640254 (GSK'254) is a next-generation human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) maturation inhibitor with pharmacokinetics (PK) supporting once-daily therapy. METHODS: This phase IIa double-blind (sponsor-unblinded), randomized, placebo-controlled, adaptive study evaluated antiviral effect, safety, tolerability, and PK of once-daily GSK'254 monotherapy administered with food (moderate-fat meal) in HIV-1-positive, treatment-naive adults. In part 1, participants received GSK'254 10 or 200 mg for 10 days. In part 2, participants received GSK'254 40, 80, or 140 mg for 7 days, modified from 10 days by a protocol amendment to decrease potential for resistance-associated mutations (RAMs). The primary endpoint was maximum change from baseline in HIV-1 RNA. RESULTS: Maximum changes in HIV-1 RNA of -0.4, -1.2, -1.0, -1.5, and -2.0 log10 occurred with GSK'254 10, 40, 80, 140, and 200 mg, respectively. Regardless of dosing duration, doses ≥40 mg resulted in ≥1-log10 declines in HIV-1 RNA. Plasma PK was generally dose proportional to 140 mg but non-proportional between 140 and 200 mg. Four participants in the 200-mg group developed RAMs on day 11 in part 1, 1 with phenotypic resistance. No RAMs occurred in part 2. Adverse events (AEs) were reported by 22 (65%) participants; headache was the most common (n = 4). Two non-drug-related serious AEs occurred. All AEs were of mild-to-moderate intensity, except for 2 grade 3 non-drug-related AEs in 1 participant. CONCLUSIONS: This monotherapy study established a dose-antiviral response relationship for GSK'254. No safety or tolerability concerns were noted. These results supported dose selection for the ongoing phase IIb study (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04493216). CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: NCT03784079.

Three-year durable efficacy of dolutegravir plus lamivudine in antiretroviral therapy - naive adults with HIV-1 infection.

OBJECTIVE: To assess efficacy and safety of dolutegravir (DTG) + lamivudine (3TC) vs. DTG + tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine (TDF/FTC) in treatment-naive adults with HIV-1 in the prespecified 144-week secondary analyses of GEMINI-1 and GEMINI-2. DESIGN: Identical, multicenter, phase III, randomized, non-inferiority studies (double-blind through 96 weeks). METHODS: Participants with HIV-1 RNA ≤500 000 copies/ml and no major viral resistance mutations to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, or protease inhibitors were randomized 1:1 to once-daily DTG + 3TC or DTG + TDF/FTC. RESULTS: At week 144, DTG + 3TC (N = 716) was noninferior to DTG + TDF/FTC (N = 717) in proportion of participants achieving HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/ml (Snapshot algorithm) in the pooled analysis (82% vs. 84%, respectively; adjusted treatment difference [95% confidence interval (CI)], -1.8% [-5.8, 2.1]), GEMINI-1 (-3.6% [-9.4, 2.1]), and GEMINI-2 (0.0% [-5.3, 5.3]). Twelve DTG + 3TC participants and nine DTG + TDF/FTC participants met protocol-defined confirmed virologic withdrawal (CVW) criteria; none developed treatment-emergent resistance. One DTG + 3TC participant who did not meet CVW criteria developed M184V at week 132 and R263R/K at week 144, conferring a 1.8-fold change in susceptibility to DTG; non-adherence to therapy was reported. Significantly fewer drug-related adverse events occurred with DTG + 3TC vs. DTG + TDF/FTC (20% vs. 27%; relative risk [95% CI], 0.76 [0.63-0.92]). Renal and bone biomarker changes favored DTG + 3TC. CONCLUSIONS: Three-year durable efficacy, long-term tolerability, and high barrier to resistance support first-line use of DTG + 3TC for HIV-1 treatment (see Supplemental Digital Content 1, http://links.lww.com/QAD/C297; video abstract).

GSK3640254 Is a Novel HIV-1 Maturation Inhibitor with an Optimized Virology Profile.

HIV-1 maturation inhibitors (MIs) offer a novel mechanism of action and potential for use in HIV-1 treatment. Prior MIs displayed clinical efficacy but were associated with the emergence of resistance and some gastrointestinal tolerability events. Treatment with the potentially safer next-generation MI GSK3640254 (GSK'254) resulted in up to a 2-log10 viral load reduction in a phase IIa proof-of-concept study. In vitro experiments have defined the antiviral and resistance profiles for GSK'254. The compound displayed strong antiviral activity against a library of subtype B and C chimeric viruses containing Gag polymorphisms and site-directed mutants previously shown to affect potency of earlier-generation MIs, with a mean protein-binding adjusted 90% effective concentration (EC90) of 33 nM. Furthermore, GSK'254 exhibited robust antiviral activity against a panel of HIV-1 clinical isolates, with a mean EC50 of 9 nM. Mechanistic studies established that bound GSK'254 dissociated on average 7.1-fold more slowly from wild-type Gag virus-like particles (VLPs) than a previous-generation MI. In resistance studies, the previously identified A364V Gag region mutation was selected under MI pressure in cell culture and during the phase IIa clinical study. As expected, GSK'254 inhibited cleavage of p25 in a range of polymorphic HIV-1 Gag VLPs. Virus-like particles containing the A364V mutation exhibited a p25 cleavage rate 9.3 times higher than wild-type particles, providing a possible mechanism for MI resistance. The findings demonstrate that GSK'254 potently inhibits a broad range of HIV-1 strains expressing Gag polymorphisms.

Brief Report: Durable Suppression and Low Rate of Virologic Failure 3 Years After Switch to Dolutegravir + Rilpivirine 2-Drug Regimen: 148-Week Results From the SWORD-1 and SWORD-2 Randomized Clinical Trials.

BACKGROUND: The SWORD trials showed that in participants who achieved virologic suppression taking 3-drug or 4-drug regimens, switching to the 2-drug regimen dolutegravir plus rilpivirine was noninferior in maintaining HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL at the week 48 primary endpoint. We present pooled week 148 analysis results from both studies. SETTING: SWORD-1: 65 centers, 13 countries; SWORD-2: 60 centers, 11 countries. METHODS: SWORD-1 and SWORD-2 are identical, open-label, phase III studies. Participants with screening HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL for ≥6 months; no prior virologic failure; and no documented resistance-associated major protease inhibitor, integrase inhibitor, nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI), or non-NRTI mutations or integrase resistance-associated substitution R263K were randomly assigned 1:1 to switch to once-daily dolutegravir 50 mg plus rilpivirine 25 mg on day 1 (early-switch group) or to continue their current antiretroviral regimen and, if virologically suppressed at week 48, switch to dolutegravir plus rilpivirine at week 52 (late-switch group) until week 148. RESULTS: Using snapshot algorithm at week 148, 432 of 513 (84%) early-switch participants (148 weeks of exposure) and 428 of 477 (90%) late-switch participants (96 weeks of exposure) maintained HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL. Eleven participants (1%) on dolutegravir plus rilpivirine met the confirmed virologic withdrawal criterion through week 148 (early-switch group, n = 8; late-switch group, n = 3) with no integrase resistance identified. Non-NRTI resistance-associated mutations were identified in 6 participants (<1%). Drug-related adverse events (grades 2-4) were observed in 31 (6%) early-switch and 16 (3%) late-switch participants. Significant improvements in bone biomarkers were observed. Significant improvements were observed in renal biomarkers in participants taking tenofovir disoproxil fumarate pre-switch. CONCLUSION: Switching to the 2-drug regimen dolutegravir plus rilpivirine maintained virologic suppression for a high proportion of participants through 3 years, with low rates of virologic failure and a well-tolerated safety profile.

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.

Brief Report: Virologic Response by Baseline Viral Load With Dolutegravir Plus Lamivudine vs Dolutegravir Plus Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate/Emtricitabine: Pooled Analysis.

BACKGROUND: To investigate antiviral potency of the 2-drug regimen (2DR) dolutegravir plus lamivudine vs the 3-drug regimen (3DR) dolutegravir plus tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine, we performed a post-hoc analysis assessing antiviral response rates in the phase III GEMINI-1 and GEMINI-2 studies by baseline viral load (VL). SETTING: One hundred ninety-two centers in 21 countries. METHODS: Treatment-naive HIV-1-infected participants with screening VL ≤500,000 copies/mL were randomized 1:1 to once-daily dolutegravir plus lamivudine or dolutegravir plus tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine. Median change from baseline was determined for log10-transformed VL in the overall study population and the subpopulation with baseline VL >100,000 copies/mL. Proportion of participants achieving plasma VL <50 copies/mL (Snapshot algorithm) or <40 copies/mL (Abbott RealTime HIV-1 assay) and target not detected was assessed through week 48 by baseline VL. Time to viral suppression was determined (nonparametric Kaplan-Meier method). RESULTS: For 293 participants with baseline VL >100,000 copies/mL, median change from baseline at week 4 was -3.38 and -3.40 log10 copies/mL in the 2DR and 3DR groups, respectively; reduction was sustained throughout 48 weeks. Time to VL <50 copies/mL was longer in participants with baseline VL >100,000 copies/mL than the overall study population (57 [week 8] vs 29 days [week 4]) and similar between the 2DR and 3DR groups. Proportion of participants with VL <50 or <40 copies/mL and target not detected was similar between groups, irrespective of baseline VL, at all tested visits throughout 48 weeks. CONCLUSION: Dolutegravir plus lamivudine demonstrates high antiviral potency in treatment-naive HIV-1-infected individuals across baseline VL strata.

Durable Efficacy of Dolutegravir Plus Lamivudine in Antiretroviral Treatment-Naive Adults With HIV-1 Infection: 96-Week Results From the GEMINI-1 and GEMINI-2 Randomized Clinical Trials.

BACKGROUND: The 2-drug regimen dolutegravir + lamivudine was noninferior to dolutegravir + tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine in achieving HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL in treatment-naive adults in the 48-week primary analysis of the GEMINI trials. We present results from the prespecified 96-week secondary analyses. SETTING: One hundred eighty-seven centers in 21 countries. METHODS: GEMINI-1 and GEMINI-2 are identical, double-blind phase III studies. Participants with screening HIV-1 RNA ≤500,000 copies/mL were randomized 1:1 to once-daily dolutegravir + lamivudine or dolutegravir + tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine. RESULTS: At week 96, dolutegravir + lamivudine (N = 716) was noninferior to dolutegravir + tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine (N = 717) in achieving HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL (Snapshot algorithm; -10% noninferiority margin) in the pooled analysis (proportion of responders, 86.0% vs 89.5%, respectively; adjusted treatment difference [95% CI], -3.4% [-6.7 to 0.0007]), GEMINI-1 (-4.9% [-9.8 to 0.03]), and GEMINI-2 (-1.8% [-6.4 to 2.7]). Proportions of participants in the HIV-1 RNA ≥50 copies/mL Snapshot category were largely unchanged from week 48 to 96. Eleven participants taking dolutegravir + lamivudine and 7 taking dolutegravir + tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine met confirmed virologic withdrawal criteria through week 96; none had treatment-emergent resistance mutations. Dolutegravir + lamivudine had a lower rate of drug-related adverse events than dolutegravir + tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine (19.6% vs 25.0%; relative risk ratio, 0.78; 95% CI: 0.64 to 0.95). Renal and bone biomarker changes favored dolutegravir + lamivudine. CONCLUSIONS: Consistent with 48-week data, dolutegravir + lamivudine demonstrated long-term, noninferior efficacy vs dolutegravir + tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine without increased risk of treatment-emergent resistance, supporting its use in treatment-naive HIV-1-infected individuals.

Efficacy and safety of dolutegravir-rilpivirine for maintenance of virological suppression in adults with HIV-1: 100-week data from the randomised, open-label, phase 3 SWORD-1 and SWORD-2 studies.

BACKGROUND: Primary analyses of the SWORD-1 and SWORD-2 trials at 48 weeks showed that switching to a two-drug regimen of dolutegravir plus rilpivirine was non-inferior to continuing a standard three-drug or four-drug antiretroviral regimen for maintenance of virological suppression in people with HIV-1. Here, we present efficacy and safety data from the 100-week analysis of the trials. METHODS: SWORD-1 and SWORD-2 are identically designed, randomised, open-label phase 3 studies at 65 centres in 13 countries and 60 centres in 11 countries, respectively. Adults aged 18 years or older who were on a standard three-drug or four-drug antiretroviral therapy (ART) and had had fewer than 50 HIV-1 RNA copies per mL of plasma for at least 6 months were randomly assigned (1:1) to 50 mg dolutegravir plus 25 mg rilpivirine orally once daily (early-switch group) or to continue their standard regimen for 52 weeks before switching to the dolutegravir plus rilpivirine combination (ie, the late-switch group). In this analysis of week 100 data, the efficacy endpoint of interest was the proportion of participants with fewer than 50 copies of HIV-1 RNA per mL of plasma (per the US Food and Drug Administration snapshot algorithm). This outcome was assessed in all randomly assigned participants who received at least one dose of the study drug. Data were analysed after the last participant completed week 100 (Sept 15, 2017) and verified through the data cutoff (Nov 21, 2017). SWORD-1 and SWORD-2 are registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, numbers NCT02429791 and NCT02422797, respectively. FINDINGS: 513 participants were randomly assigned to dolutegravir plus rilpivirine (ie, the early-switch group) and 511 to continue their standard ART regimen, 477 of whom then switched to dolutegravir plus rilpivirine at week 52 (ie, the late-switch group). At week 100, 456 (89% [95% CI 86-92]) of 513 participants in the early-switch group and 444 (93% [91-95]) of 477 in the late-switch group had fewer than 50 HIV-1 RNA copies per mL. Drug-related adverse events occurred in 103 (20%) participants in the early-switch group and 58 (12%) in the late-switch group. The most common drug-related adverse events were headache (11 participants in the early-switch group [2%] vs eight [2%] in the late-switch group) and nausea (eight [2%] vs five [1%]). INTERPRETATION: The combination of dolutegravir plus rilpivirine sustained virological suppression of HIV-1, was associated with a low frequency of virological failure, and had a favourable safety profile, which support its use as a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-sparing and protease inhibitor-sparing alternative to three-drug regimens that reduces overall exposure to ART. FUNDING: ViiV Healthcare and Janssen Pharmaceutica.

Dolutegravir versus ritonavir-boosted lopinavir both with dual nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor therapy in adults with HIV-1 infection in whom first-line therapy has failed (DAWNING): an open-label, non-inferiority, phase 3b trial.

BACKGROUND: Doubts exist regarding optimal second-line treatment options for HIV-1-infected patients in resource-limited settings. We assessed safety and efficacy of dolutegravir compared with ritonavir-boosted lopinavir, plus two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) in adults in whom previous first-line antiretroviral therapy with a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) plus two NRTIs has failed. METHODS: DAWNING is a phase 3b, open-label, parallel-group, non-inferiority, active-controlled trial done at 58 sites in 13 countries. Eligible adults were aged at least 18 years and, during at least 6 months of treatment with a first-line treatment containing an NNRTI and two NRTIs, had virological failure (confirmed HIV-1 RNA ≥400 copies per mL). Participants were randomly assigned by a central randomisation system to receive oral dolutegravir (50 mg once daily) or ritonavir-boosted lopinavir (800 mg lopinavir plus 200 mg ritonavir once daily or 400 mg plus 100 mg twice daily), plus two investigator-selected NRTIs (at least one fully active based on resistance testing at screening). The primary outcome was the proportion of participants achieving viral suppression (defined as plasma HIV-1 RNA <50 copies per mL) at week 48 using the snapshot algorithm and a non-inferiority margin of -12%. The primary analysis was done in an intention-to-treat-exposed (ITT-E) population of participants who received at least one dose of study medication, according to original group assignment. Safety was analysed in all participants who received at least one dose of study drug, according to which drug was received. The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02227238, and viiv-studyregister.com, number 200304. FINDINGS: Between Dec 11, 2014, and June 27, 2016, 968 adults were screened and 627 were randomly assigned to the dolutegravir group (n=312) or the ritonavir-boosted lopinavir group (n=315). Three patients in the ritonavir-boosted lopinavir group did not receive study medication and so 624 were included in the ITT-E population. At week 48, 261 (84%) of 312 participants in the dolutegravir group achieved viral suppression compared with 219 (70%) of 312 in the ritonavir-boosted lopinavir group (adjusted difference 13·8%; 95% CI 7·3-20·3). Non-inferiority was achieved on the basis of the 95% CI of the adjusted treatment difference having a lower bound greater than -12% (prespecified non-inferiority margin). Because the lower bound of the 95% CI is greater than zero (7·3%), superiority of dolutegravir was also concluded (p<0·0001). The safety profile for dolutegravir was favourable compared with that of ritonavir-boosted lopinavir. More grade 2-4 drug-related adverse events occurred with ritonavir-boosted lopinavir than dolutegravir (44 [14%] of 310 with ritonavir-boosted lopinavir vs 11 [4%] of 314 with dolutegravir), mainly driven by gastrointestinal disorders. INTERPRETATION: When administered with two NRTIs, dolutegravir was superior to ritonavir-boosted lopinavir at 48 weeks and can be considered a suitable option for second-line treatment. FUNDING: ViiV Healthcare.

Dolutegravir plus lamivudine versus dolutegravir plus tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and emtricitabine in antiretroviral-naive adults with HIV-1 infection (GEMINI-1 and GEMINI-2): week 48 results from two multicentre, double-blind, randomised, non-inferiority, phase 3 trials.

BACKGROUND: Effective two-drug regimens could decrease long-term drug exposure and toxicity with HIV-1 antiretroviral therapy (ART). We therefore aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a two-drug regimen compared with a three-drug regimen for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in ART-naive adults. METHODS: We conducted two identically designed, multicentre, double-blind, randomised, non-inferiority, phase 3 trials: GEMINI-1 and GEMINI-2. Both studies were done at 192 centres in 21 countries. We included participants (≥18 years) with HIV-1 infection and a screening HIV-1 RNA of 500 000 copies per mL or less, and who were naive to ART. We randomly assigned participants (1:1) to receive a once-daily two-drug regimen of dolutegravir (50 mg) plus lamivudine (300 mg) or a once-daily three-drug regimen of dolutegravir (50 mg) plus tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (300 mg) and emtricitabine (200 mg). Both drug regimens were administered orally. We masked participants and investigators to treatment assignment: dolutegravir was administered as single-entity tablets (similar to its commercial formulation, except with a different film colour), and lamivudine tablets and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and emtricitabine tablets were over-encapsulated to visually match each other. Primary endpoint was the proportion of participants with HIV-1 RNA of less than 50 copies per mL at week 48 in the intention-to-treat-exposed population, using the Snapshot algorithm and a non-inferiority margin of -10%. Safety analyses were done on the safety population. GEMINI-1 and GEMINI-2 are registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, numbers NCT02831673 and NCT02831764, respectively. FINDINGS: Between July 18, 2016, and March 31, 2017, 1441 participants across both studies were randomly assigned to receive either the two-drug regimen (n=719) or three-drug regimen (n=722). At week 48 in the GEMINI-1 intention-to-treat-exposed population, 320 (90%) of 356 participants receiving the two-drug regimen and 332 (93%) of 358 receiving the three-drug regimen achieved plasma HIV-1 RNA of less than 50 copies per mL (adjusted treatment difference -2·6%, 95% CI -6·7 to 1·5); in GEMINI-2, 335 (93%) of 360 in the two-drug regimen and 337 (94%) of 359 in the three-drug regimen achieved HIV-1 RNA of less than 50 copies per mL (adjusted treatment difference -0·7%, 95% CI -4·3 to 2·9), showing non-inferiority at a -10% margin in both studies (pooled analysis: 655 [91%] of 716 in the two-drug regimen vs 669 [93%] of 717 in the three-drug regimen; adjusted treatment difference -1·7%, 95% CI -4·4 to 1·1). Numerically, more drug-related adverse events occurred with the three-drug regimen than with the two-drug regimen (169 [24%] of 717 vs 126 [18%] of 716); few participants discontinued because of adverse events (16 [2%] in the three-drug regimen and 15 [2%] in the two-drug regimen). Two deaths were reported in the two-drug regimen group of GEMINI-2, but neither was considered to be related to the study medication. INTERPRETATION: The non-inferior efficacy and similar tolerability profile of dolutegravir plus lamivudine to a guideline-recommended three-drug regimen at 48 weeks in ART-naive adults supports its use as initial therapy for patients with HIV-1 infection. FUNDING: ViiV Healthcare.

Efficacy, safety, and tolerability of dolutegravir-rilpivirine for the maintenance of virological suppression in adults with HIV-1: phase 3, randomised, non-inferiority SWORD-1 and SWORD-2 studies.

BACKGROUND: Lifelong HIV antiretroviral therapy (ART) has prompted an interest in two-drug regimens to minimise cumulative drug exposure and toxicities. The safety, tolerability, and efficacy of dolutegravir and rilpivirine suggest potential compatibility and effectiveness as a two-drug regimen. We aimed to investigate this two-drug regimen in a phase 3 study. METHODS: We identically designed SWORD-1 and SWORD-2, which were open-label, parallel-group, multicentre, phase 3, randomised, non-inferiority studies in 12 countries evaluating efficacy and safety of once-daily dolutegravir 50 mg plus rilpivirine 25 mg versus current ART regimen (CAR). We included participants aged 18 years or older who were on first or second ART with stable plasma HIV-1 RNA (viral load <50 copies per mL) for 6 months or longer at screening. We randomly assigned participants (1:1) with stratification by third-agent class, age, and planned participation in a bone mineral density substudy. The primary endpoint was proportion of participants with viral load lower than 50 copies per mL at week 48 among those individuals who received one or more doses of study medication. Investigators monitored adverse events to assess safety. These trials are registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, numbers NCT02429791 (SWORD-1) and NCT02422797 (SWORD-2). FINDINGS: We screened for participants from April 14, 2015, to Oct 15, 2015, for SWORD-1 and from April 21, 2015, to Sept 25, 2015, for SWORD-2. We randomly assigned 516 participants to dolutegravir-rilpivirine and 512 to continue with CAR. At week 48 (last patient visit was Nov 22, 2016), in the pooled analysis of the intention-to-treat population, 95% of participants had viral loads lower than 50 copies per mL in each group (486 of 513 in the dolutegravir-rilpivirine group vs 485 of 511 in the CAR group), with an adjusted treatment difference of -0·2% (95% CI -3·0 to 2·5) and showed non-inferiority with a predefined margin of -8%. 395 (77%) of 513 participants in the dolutegravir-rilpivirine group and 364 (71%) of 511 participants in the CAR group reported adverse events. The most common adverse events were nasopharyngitis (49 [10%] for dolutegravir-rilpivirine vs 50 [10%] for CAR) and headache (41 [8%] vs 23 [5%]). More participants taking dolutegravir-rilpivirine (17 [3%]) reported adverse events leading to withdrawal than did participants taking CAR (three [<1%]). INTERPRETATION: Dolutegravir-rilpivirine was non-inferior to CAR over 48 weeks in participants with HIV suppression and showed a safety profile consistent with its components. Results support the use of this two-drug regimen to maintain HIV suppression. FUNDING: ViiV Healthcare and Janssen Pharmaceutica NV.

Switch from tenofovir disoproxil fumarate combination to dolutegravir with rilpivirine improves parameters of bone health.

OBJECTIVE: Bone mineral density (BMD) loss, a risk factor for osteoporosis, has been attributed to HIV infection and antiretroviral therapy (ART), including regimens containing tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. DESIGN: Study 202094 is an open-label, parallel-group, sub-study of the phase III SWORD-1 and SWORD-2 studies (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT02478632). METHODS: HIV-1-infected adults with HIV-1 RNA less than 50 copies/ml who received ART containing tenofovir disoproxil fumarate for at least 6 months were randomized to receive dolutegravir with rilpivirine or continue current ART regimen. Total hip and lumbar spine BMD were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans. The primary endpoint was percentage change from baseline in total hip BMD. RESULTS: DXA scans were evaluable for 81 participants at baseline and Week 48. Percentage increase in total hip BMD was significantly greater in participants who switched to dolutegravir with rilpivirine (1.34%) compared with participants who continued current ART (0.05%; treatment difference, +1.29%; 95% CI 0.27-2.31; P = 0.014). Lumbar spine BMD significantly increased in the dolutegravir with rilpivirine group by 1.46% (95% CI 0.65-2.28) compared with 0.15% (95% CI -0.79 to 1.09) in the current ART group (treatment difference, 1.32; 95% CI 0.07-2.57; P = 0.039). Participants in the dolutegravir with rilpivirine group experienced significantly greater reductions in bone formation and resorption biomarkers compared with the current ART group. CONCLUSION: Switch to dolutegravir with rilpivirine was associated with significant improvement in BMD and bone turnover markers compared with tenofovir-based three-drug regimens, providing a robust option for preserving bone health while continuing suppressive ART.

96-Week results of abacavir/lamivudine versus tenofovir/emtricitabine, plus efavirenz, in antiretroviral-naive, HIV-1-infected adults: ASSERT study.

BACKGROUND: Abacavir/lamivudine (ABC/3TC) and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine (TDF/FTC) are widely used as first-line antiretroviral therapies. However, there are limited data comparing the safety of these therapies with long-term use. The objective of this study was to assess the long-term safety of these commonly used first-line nucleoside/nucleotide combinations each administered with efavirenz (EFV). METHODS: This open-label, 96-week, randomized study compared the safety (renal, bone and metabolic) and efficacy of ABC/3TC and TDF/FTC plus EFV in HLA-B*5701-negative antiretroviral-naive adults. RESULTS: A total of 385 subjects were enrolled, and 249 (65%) subjects completed the study. The difference in changes from baseline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (calculated by the Modified Diet in Renal Disease equation) between treatment arms was not significant. There was a significant difference between the arms (P < 0.0001) for markers of tubular dysfunction (retinol-binding protein and ß-2 microglobulin) favouring ABC/3TC. Hip bone mineral density decreased from baseline in both arms, with a significantly greater decline with TDF/FTC (ABC/3TC -2.2% and TDF/FTC -3.5%; P < 0.001 at week 96). Subjects in the ABC/3TC arm had greater increases from baseline in median total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides. Adverse events were similar between arms. The virological failure rate was low in both arms. CONCLUSIONS: ABC/3TC and TDF/FTC in combination with EFV minimally affected estimated glomerular filtration rate over 96 weeks. TDF/FTC was associated with greater increases in tubular dysfunction and bone turnover marker levels, greater decreases in hip bone mineral density, and smaller increases in serum lipid levels.