Brief Report: Durable Suppression and Low Rate of Virologic Failure 3 Years After Switch to Dolutegravir + Rilpivirine 2-Drug Regimen: 148-Week Results From the SWORD-1 and SWORD-2 Randomized Clinical Trials

J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2020 Nov 1;85(3):325-330. doi: 10.1097/QAI.0000000000002449.

Abstract

Background: The SWORD trials showed that in participants who achieved virologic suppression taking 3-drug or 4-drug regimens, switching to the 2-drug regimen dolutegravir plus rilpivirine was noninferior in maintaining HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL at the week 48 primary endpoint. We present pooled week 148 analysis results from both studies.

Setting: SWORD-1: 65 centers, 13 countries; SWORD-2: 60 centers, 11 countries.

Methods: SWORD-1 and SWORD-2 are identical, open-label, phase III studies. Participants with screening HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL for ≥6 months; no prior virologic failure; and no documented resistance-associated major protease inhibitor, integrase inhibitor, nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI), or non-NRTI mutations or integrase resistance-associated substitution R263K were randomly assigned 1:1 to switch to once-daily dolutegravir 50 mg plus rilpivirine 25 mg on day 1 (early-switch group) or to continue their current antiretroviral regimen and, if virologically suppressed at week 48, switch to dolutegravir plus rilpivirine at week 52 (late-switch group) until week 148.

Results: Using snapshot algorithm at week 148, 432 of 513 (84%) early-switch participants (148 weeks of exposure) and 428 of 477 (90%) late-switch participants (96 weeks of exposure) maintained HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL. Eleven participants (1%) on dolutegravir plus rilpivirine met the confirmed virologic withdrawal criterion through week 148 (early-switch group, n = 8; late-switch group, n = 3) with no integrase resistance identified. Non-NRTI resistance-associated mutations were identified in 6 participants (<1%). Drug-related adverse events (grades 2-4) were observed in 31 (6%) early-switch and 16 (3%) late-switch participants. Significant improvements in bone biomarkers were observed. Significant improvements were observed in renal biomarkers in participants taking tenofovir disoproxil fumarate pre-switch.

Conclusion: Switching to the 2-drug regimen dolutegravir plus rilpivirine maintained virologic suppression for a high proportion of participants through 3 years, with low rates of virologic failure and a well-tolerated safety profile.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-HIV Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-HIV Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Drug Combinations
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy*
  • HIV-1*
  • Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring / administration & dosage
  • Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring / adverse effects
  • Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Rilpivirine / administration & dosage
  • Rilpivirine / adverse effects
  • Rilpivirine / therapeutic use*
  • Viral Load

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents
  • Drug Combinations
  • Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring
  • dolutegravir, rilpivirine drug combination
  • Rilpivirine