1040 - Real-World Implementation of Dolutegravir-Lamivudine to Achieve and Maintain HIV-1 Viral Suppression at an Academic Medical Center

Background: Two-drug antiretroviral (ARV) regimens to achieve and maintain HIV viral suppression may lead to decreases in associated drug interactions, adverse events, and pill burden. Dolutegravir-lamivudine (DTG-3TC) has been established as safe and effective in treatment naïve and experienced adults. Further research is warranted to assess insertion into real-world practice.

Methods: This descriptive retrospective cohort consisted of all patients at an academic medical center HIV practice with a confirmed order of DTG-3TC between April 2019 and March 2020. Patients who were not linked to care by the site’s practices were excluded. The primary endpoint was number of patients initiated on DTG-3TC to determine uptake. Secondary endpoints included demographics and viral outcomes. Descriptive measures of central tendencies and variability were used for analysis.

Results: DTG-3TC was initiated in 49 patients. Sixty-nine percent were male (34/49), 90% carried publicly funded insurance (44/49), median age at DTG-3TC initiation was 55 years (IQR 46-60), and mean years since HIV diagnosis was 14 (SD ±8). The largest racial/ethnic category represented was Black (45%, 22/49). Forty-seven patients with a mean CD4 of 753 cells/mm3 (±413) and viral load of 88.2 copies/mL (±525) were switched from alternative regimens, mostly containing an integrase inhibitor (41/47, 87%), and with the primary rationale of medication modernization (27/47, 58%) followed by avoidance of adverse drug reactions (15/47, 32%). From 42 assessed patients, 62% had previous ARV exposure length of over 10 years. No patients were found to have significant resistance mutations to the involved agents. After initiation, 6% (3/49) of patients reported side effects . Among switch patients with follow up lab values, median CD4 (n=20) and viral load (n=21) deltas were -10 cells/mm3 (-59-67) and 0 copies/mL (0-0) respectively. Overall median length of therapy through April 1, 2020 was 110 days (71-156).

Conclusion: Initial implementation of DTG-3TC was successful in a northeast academic HIV practice primarily among virally suppressed treatment switch patients with long exposures to ARV and time since diagnosis. No clinically relevant change in CD4 or Viral Loads were immediately seen.