Analysis of the 2‑year real‑world efficacy and safety of bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide in people living with HIV

Integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) have proven to be effective and relatively safe drugs for people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV; PLWH).However, they have been found to be associated with an increased risk of developing cardiovascular events and weight gain.Bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (B/F/TAF) is a relatively recent INSTI that has exhibited optimal efficacy in controlling the HIV viral load and restoring the immune system.The present study collected data from HIV-positive patients (n=38), 10 PLWH nave to treatment and 28 experienced PLWH, in current therapy with B/F/TAF, comparing three different time points (T0, T1 and T2) in order to evaluate effectiveness, safety, lipid profile, hepatic and renal function, in a 2-year observational study since the commencement of the antiretroviral therapy regimen.The results revealed a statistically significant improvement in the lymphocyte CD4 + count from T0 to T1 (P-value 0.011) and T2 vs. T0 (P-value 0.001) in nave PLWH, as well as an increase in cholesterol low-density lipoprotein levels (P-value 0.043) and weight gain (T2 vs. T0 P-value 0.003).No significant differences were found in experienced PLWH.During the study, numerous cases of HIV viraemia >50 cps/ml, but <500 cps/ml were observed.On the whole, the findings presented herein may add value to the literature regarding the efficacy of B/F/TAF, particularly due to numerous cases exhibiting low-level viraemia.