Switching to a Bictegravir Single Tablet Regimen in Elderly People Living with HIV-1: Data Analysis from the BICTEL Cohort
Alessandro Lazzaro, Elio Gentilini Cacciola, Cristian Borrazzo, Giuseppe Pietro Innocenti, Eugenio Nelson Cavallari, Ivano Mezzaroma, Mario Falciano, Caterina Fimiani, Claudio Maria Mastroianni, Giancarlo Ceccarelli, Gabriella d’Ettorre
Abstract
Bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (BIC/FTC/TAF) is a recommended once-daily single tablet regimen for the treatment of people living with HIV-1 (PLWH). We aimed to assess efficacy, safety and tolerability of BIC/FTC/TAF among PLWH, with a specific focus on people older than 55 years. Thus, we recruited an observational retrospective real-life cohort including all PLWH who underwent a therapeutic switch to BIC/FTC/TAF, independently from the provenience treatment regimen. After 48 weeks of follow-up, 147 PLWH were included and 93 were older than 55 years. PLWH with HIV-RNA < 37 copies/mL increased from 140 to 146 (p < 0.033). Among the overall population, we observed an increase in CD4+ T cells count by 30.1% (p-value < 0.001), in CD8+ T cells count by 7.1% (p-value = 0.004) and in CD4+/CD8+ ratio by 21.5% (p-value < 0.001). Lipidic profile was characterized by decreasing total cholesterol/HDL ratio by 8% (p-value < 0.001) and LDL by 6.8% (p-value = 0.007). Total body weight increased by 1.8% (p-value = 0.014) and BMI by 4.2% (p-value < 0.001), even remaining within the healthy range. Hepatic and renal profile were not altered by the switch, nor were adverse events and/or discontinuations events detected. In conclusion, BIC/FTC/TAF is effective, safe and well tolerated in real life and among PLWH older than 55.