Brief Report: Switching to Long-Acting CAB/RPV: Data From an Italian Monocentric Cohort

Background: Cabotegravir (CAB)/rilpivirine (RPV) is the first long-acting injectable (LAI) antiretroviral therapy approved for virologically suppressed adults with HIV-1. Setting: Italian single centre cohort. Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study to assess the durability, adherence to the prescribed injection schedule, and reasons for discontinuation of CAB/RPV LAI administered every 8 weeks (Q8W). Results: One hundred thirty-eight patients were included with a median observation period of 43 weeks [interquartile range (IQR) 34–47 weeks]. Of these, 32 (23.2%) were female, and the median age was 51 years (IQR 40–58 years). Twelve patients (8.7%) discontinued CAB/RPV LAI treatment with a median time to discontinuation of 21 weeks (IQR 12–35 weeks), and 92.8% of the injections occurred within the CAB/RPV LAI schedule. The most common reason for discontinuation was injection-related pain (5/12). No confirmed virological failure occurred during the period of observation with 3 individuals who experienced virological blips. Conclusions: Our findings showed that CAB/RPV LAI Q8W is tolerated well in clinical practice, with high adherence to the injection schedule and few discontinuations mainly related to injection site–related pain.