IDSA: Cabotegravir + rilpivirine long-acting antiretroviral therapy beneficial in HIV

The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) presented a study at IDWeek, an annual meeting held from October 21 to 24 in Washington, D.C., indicating that the long-acting antiretroviral therapy (LA ART) consisting of Cabotegravir (CAB) and Rilpivirine (RPV) effectively maintains virologic suppression among adults with HIV who are already virologically suppressed.

Ricky Hsu, from the AIDS Healthcare Foundation in Los Angeles, led a team of researchers who analyzed the persistence and virologic outcomes following a switch to CAB+RPV LA therapy.

Of the 7,995 individuals who initiated CAB+RPV LA therapy between January 21, 2021, and December 31, 2025, 87% were initially virologically suppressed. Of the 6,362 individuals who completed the initiation, 77% remained in care and on the therapy at the study's conclusion, with a median duration of 18 months on CAB+RPV LA. Ninety-four percent of these individuals had their last viral load measured at 50 copies/mL during uninterrupted CAB+RPV LA use, while 81% maintained all viral loads below 50 copies/mL. Only 1% experienced confirmed virologic failure.

The most common reasons for discontinuation of CAB+RPV LA therapy included nonadherence to injection visits (29%), loss to care (23%), and a desire to switch to oral ARTs (15%). By incorporating real-world data that reflects the everyday challenges patients face in accessing care, these findings reinforce the evidence from randomized clinical trials, which highlight CAB+RPV LA as an effective and valuable option for individuals living with HIV.