The way we live withHIV. The new long-acting therapies, based on injections every two months, are revolutionizing the management of the infection thanks to their effectiveness, safety and positive impact on the quality of life.
This is confirmed by the data presented at 20th Congress of the European AIDS Clinical Society (EACS), held in Paris, where over 40 studies illustrated the latest results on these therapies. In particular, four key studies – Long-ICONA, SCohoLART, an international meta-analysis and VOLITION – highlighted the advantages of the injectable combination of cabotegravir and rilpivirine.
According to the infectious disease specialist Andrea Giacomelli of University of Milan, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco and SIMIT Advisor, the new therapies represent a paradigm shift in HIV treatment: «People with HIV can do without taking a pill a day thanks to an injection administered every two months. They improve privacy, quality of life and the relationship with treatment centers, without losing anything in terms of effectiveness.”
The Long-ICONA study, conducted in Italy on patients who switched from oral to injectable therapy, confirmed that the treatment is well tolerated and safe over time: «The results show that there is no significant change in systemic inflammation and drug levels always above the efficacy threshold, confirming the safety of the treatment over time», explains Giacomelli again.
Further confirmation comes from the meta-analysis of over 2,000 real patients and from the VOLITION study, which explored the perception of clinicians.
«The meta-analysis confirms an efficacy of over 90% at 12 months. VOLITION has collected the opinions of clinicians, who consider this strategy simple and manageable even in the early stages of treatment. It is an important new opportunity of choice for the person with HIV”, adds Giacomelli.
The data from the SCohoLART study, conducted in San Raffaele of Milanwhich followed 549 people with HIV who switched to injectable therapy for two years.
«99% of patients maintain viral suppression after two years. Adherence is very high and the study highlighted an improvement in the immunological and metabolic profile. These results tell us that long-acting therapy is not only effective and tolerated, but also capable of preserving balance in the long term”, he states Camilla Muccini, infectious disease specialist of San Raffaele.
From the data it emerges strongly that the tinjectable therapies every two months not only maintain control of the infection with very high effectiveness, but they lighten people’s daily lives, reduce inflammation, improve some metabolic markers and offer a more discreet and manageable approach.
HIV treatment is no longer just a question of survival: it is a question of quality of life. And these new therapeutic options are a concrete response in this direction.
In summary: a single injection every two months can ensure optimal HIV control, improving your quality of life and overall health. A true therapeutic revolution, already a reality for many patients.