Initiating treatment may become easier for adults living with HIV. a combination injectable, without a lead-in period of oral tablets, according to a press release from Janssen Pharmaceuticals.
Cabenuva combines rilpivirine (Janssen) and cabotegravir (ViiV Healthcare). The change offers patients and clinicians an option for a streamlined entry to treatment without the burden of daily pill taking, according to the release.
Cabenuva injections may be given as few as six times a year to manage HIV, according to Janssen. HIV patients with viral suppression previously had to complete an oral treatment regimen before starting monthly or bimonthly injections.
The injectable combination of cabotegravir, an HIV-1 integrase strand transfer inhibitor, and rilpivirine, an HIV-1 nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, is currently indicated as a complete treatment regimen to replace the current antiretroviral regimen for adults with HIV who are virologically suppressed,” according to the press release.
“Janssen and ViiV are exploring the future possibility of an ultra–long-acting version of Cabenuva, which could reduce the frequency of injections even further, according to the press release.
Access may improve, but barriers persist
“Despite advances in HIV care, many barriers remain, particularly for the most vulnerable populations,” Lina Rosengren-Hovee, MD, of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, said in an interview.
“Care engagement has improved with the use of bridge counselors, rapid ART [antiretroviral therapy] initiation policies, and contact tracing,” she said. “Similarly, increasing access to multiple modalities of HIV treatment is critical to increase engagement in care.
“For patients, removing the oral lead-in primarily reduces the number of clinical visits to start injectable ART,” Dr. Rosengren-Hovee added. “It may also remove adherence barriers for patients who have difficulty taking a daily oral medication.”
But Dr. Rosengren-Hovee (who has no financial connection to the manufacturers) pointed out that access to Cabenuva may not be seamless. “Unless the medication is stocked in clinics, patients are not likely to receive their first injection during the initial visit. Labs are also required prior to initiation to ensure there is no contraindication to the medication, such as viral resistance to one of its components. Cost and insurance coverage are also likely to remain major obstacles.”
Dr. Rosengren-Hovee has disclosed no relevant financial relationships.
A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.