Efficacy of intermittent short cycles of integrase inhibitor-based maintenance ART in virologically suppressed HIV patients

BACKGROUND: Several studies have shown that NNRTI/PI-based triple therapy could be safely administered as a 4 days (4D) or 5 days (5D) a week maintenance strategy. We report here our experience of using an integrase inhibitor (INSTI)-based 4D/5D regimen in virologically suppressed HIV patients. METHODS: This cohort study enrolled adult patients on ART with viral load (VL) 1 year, who switched to an INSTI-based triple regimen given 4D/5D a week. The primary endpoint was the virological efficacy rate at Week (W) 48, with virological failure defined as confirmed VL >/=50 copies/mL. RESULTS: A total of 73 patients were included (n = 28 for 4D, n = 45 for 5D): 54 men (74%), median (IQR) age 51 (45-57) years, ART duration 10 (6-18) years and duration of viral suppression 5 (2-9) years at baseline. As of 25 March 2019, the median follow-up was 21 (14-35) months, with a total of 161 patient-years of follow-up; all patients had reached the W24 visit, 66 (90%) W48 and 34 (47%) W96. Four patients discontinued the strategy: virological failure (n = 2) at W60 and W67, respectively, switch for renal toxicity (n = 1) at W28 and switch to rilpivirine/dolutegravir (n = 1) at W65. Overall the rate of virological success (95% CI) was 100% (94%-100%) at W24 and W48 and 93.7% (79.8%-98.2%) at W96. CONCLUSIONS: While waiting for the final results of the large randomized QUATUOR ANRS-170 study, our real-life results suggest that the use of an intermittent maintenance triple-drug regimen given as a weekend (2 or 3 days) off is as effective with an INSTI-based regimen as with a PI or an NNRTI.