Lenacapavir for Initial treatment of HIV

The novel HIV capsid inhibitor lenacapavir is a potent antiretroviral drug with pharmacologic properties allowing for subcutaneous administration every 26 weeks.

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is highly effective in suppressing viral replication but requires daily adherence. Lenacapavir, a novel inhibitor of HIV capsid protein with a low clearance rate and slow-release kinetics, was approved by the FDA in December 2022 based on results of the CAPELLA trial for treatment of adults with multidrug-resistant HIV. In this phase 2 industry-sponsored study, investigators assessed various dosing strategies in 183 ART-naive persons with HIV (PWH; 93% male, 52% African American) who were randomized to one of four groups. Groups 1 and 2 received oral loading of lenacapavir (to reach therapeutic concentrations rapidly) followed by oral FTC/TAF and subcutaneous lenacapavir every 26 weeks beginning at day 15. Among…

Reviewing Author

Carlos del Rio, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; NIH/National Institute on Drug Abuse

Editorial BoardsJAIDS: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes; Vaccines

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesInternational Antiviral Society–USA (Board of Directors); Infectious Diseases Society of America (Past President)

Carlos del Rio, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; NIH/National Institute on Drug Abuse

Editorial BoardsJAIDS: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes; Vaccines

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesInternational Antiviral Society–USA (Board of Directors); Infectious Diseases Society of America (Past President)

Lenacapavir for Initial treatment of HIV

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Reviewing Author