Twenty-four month effectiveness and safety of bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide in people with HIV: Real-world data from the BICSTaR Japan cohort

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INTRODUCTION: BICSTaR (BICtegravir Single Tablet Regimen) is a multinational observational study assessing the virologic effectiveness and safety of bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (B/F/TAF) in people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Previously, the 12-month analysis of the Japan cohort of BICSTaR showed high levels of virologic effectiveness and tolerability with B/F/TAF. METHODS: Data for 84 treatment-experienced (TE) or 116 treatment-naïve (TN) participants aged ≥20 years receiving B/F/TAF as part of routine clinical care in Japan were collected retrospectively and prospectively. Outcomes analyzed at 24 months included HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL, treatment persistence, drug-related adverse events (DRAEs), and patient-reported outcomes (prospective cohort only). RESULTS: At 24 months, 97% of TN and TE participants had HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL (missing-equals-excluded analysis), and 96% of participants remained in the study and were receiving B/F/TAF. DRAEs were reported by 14% of participants (TN: 16%; TE: 10%), with diarrhea (TN: 3%; TE: 2%) and weight gain (TN: 4%; TE: 0%) being the most common; the majority of DRAEs occurred in the first 12 months. Participants enrolled prospectively reported stable or improved quality of life through 24 months. CONCLUSION: Treatment with B/F/TAF in routine HIV clinical care in Japan was associated with high persistence, virologic effectiveness, and was well tolerated through 24 months.