Early unblinding of long-acting cabotegravir (CAB LA) is a milestone for the prevention of HIV in women in Africa. Researchers announced that data from a clinical trial of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) of long-acting cabotegravir injections are promising. These are administered every eight weeks by daily oral injection and contain tenofovir/emtricitabine (TDF/FTC). The treatment willcurrently for HIV preventionused on women in sub-Saharan Africa.
Prevention of HIV among women in Africa
The results from the so-called HPTN 084 study are incredibly important for the proportion of African women. According to the researchers, reducing the incidence of HIV remains a priority. The authors recognize that adherence to daily HIV pill use remains a challenge. So an effective injectable product like long-acting CAB is a very important additional prevention option for them. The results meet the statistical criteria for the superiority of CAB LA compared to TDF/FTC in the HPTN 084 study population. The higher than expected adherence to TDF/FTC throughout the study and the overall low incidence rate in both parts of the study clearly demonstrate that both drugs were highly effective in preventing HIV acquisition. Together with the recent positive opinion from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) on dapivirine (DPV), there is an opportunity to change the course of the HIV epidemic.
So, a long-acting injectable formulation has the potential to improve the effect without relying on adherence to a daily regimen of oral medications. A long-acting PrEP product could offer a better choice for women at significant risk of AIDS. Most of them either cannot take a daily tablet or have problems accessing it. These results do not contradict the evidence that such consistent use of oral PrEP is highly effective. This has already been shown in several studies. However, compliance with the daily dosage is important. Even short periods of time without taking oral PrEP can reduce protection against HIV infection.
perspective for treatment
Before CAB LA is available to people outside of the HPTN 084 trial, trial results must be fully reviewed and submitted to a rigorous regulatory authority for approval. Such a therapy and its production capacities must first be expanded. There are also other security and implementation issues that need to be considered before a wider rollout. Studies in adolescents and pregnant womenbreastfeeding womenare therefore required. Such a strategy needs to be considered to understand the most effective and acceptable approaches. It is encouraging to learn that a long-acting injectable PrEP option against HIV has been shown to be highly effective in women. CAB LA has loudof the studythe potential to increase choice and overcome some of the barriers associated with adherence to biomedical HIV prevention for long-term use.
