AI Insight
A 96-week randomized clinical trial in sub-Saharan Africa found that long-acting injectable cabotegravir-rilpivirine administered every 8 weeks was superior to daily oral tenofovir/lamivudine/dolutegravir (TLD) in maintaining virological suppression in HIV-positive adolescents who already had their viral load under control. The injectable treatment showed no new safety concerns compared to existing data. This represents the first demonstration of efficacy for this long-acting regimen specifically in the adolescent population in Africa.
Why it matters
This finding offers a potentially transformative treatment option for adolescents living with HIV, as reducing treatment frequency from daily pills to injections every 8 weeks could significantly improve adherence and quality of life. The results are particularly important for sub-Saharan Africa, which has the highest burden of pediatric and adolescent HIV globally.
Understand the Science
In adolescents with HIV with virological suppression, LAI cabotegravir–rilpivirine was superior to TLD for maintaining virological suppression, with no new safety concerns observed. These findings support LAI cabotegravir–rilpivirine as a maintenance treatment option for this population.