Virological outcomes of PWH who discontinued cabotegravir/rilpivirine long-acting therapy in a real-world context

Objectives The aim of this study was to describe virological outcomes in people with HIV (PWH) after discontinuation of long-acting (LA) cabotegravir (CAB) plus rilpivirine (RPV). Methods: All PWH enrolled in the Icona Cohort who discontinued CAB/RPV LA and had at least one follow-up after discontinuation were included. Results A total of 84 out of 805 (10.4%) PWH discontinued CAB/RPV, mainly due to toxicity or adverse events (67.9%). Most individuals (72.6%) returned to the same oral antiretroviral regimen used prior LA therapy. The 12-month cumulative probability of discontinuing oral ART after CAB/RPV was 19.9% (95% confidence interval [CI] 11.9-32.2%). After switching back to oral ART all individuals except one maintained or achieved HIV RNA levels below 50 copies/mL. Conclusion These findings suggest that PWH who discontinue LA CAB/RPV and resume oral ART maintain or achieve high rates of virologic suppression.