Efficacy and safety of switching to raltegravir plus atazanavir dual therapy in pretreated HIV-1-infected patients over 144 weeks: a cohort study

AbstractBackground: To decrease drug burden among HIV-1-positive adults, we need a new gold standard for antiretroviral therapy maintenance strategies. Methods: This retrospective study aimed to assess efficacy in maintenance strategy of atazanavir (ATV) and raltegravir (RAL) dual therapy. The proportion of patients with HIV-1 RNA < 40 copies/ml at specific time points was recorded. Immunological response, safety, and pharmacokinetics were assessed. Results: Overall, 39 patients were switched to a RAL/ATV (n = 32) or RAL/ATV plus ritonavir (n = 7) regimen. Almost all patients (95%) received RAL twice daily. Most patients (70%) received a 400 mg ATV dosing per day, once (26%) or twice daily (44%). The percentages of virological success at weeks 24, 48, 96, and 144 were 92% (95% confidence interval (CI), 83–10), 86% (95% CI, 74–98), 70% (95% CI, 52–88), and 63% (95% CI, 42–84), respectively. Overall, 12 (31%) patients stopped dual therapy: 7 patients because of adverse events, mostly clinical myositis (n = ...