Ruth M. Rothstein CORE Center

Outside of randomized controlled trials, there are limited data regarding the acceptability of injectable long-acting cabotegravir + rilpivirine (LA-CAB+RPV) among persons living with HIV. To evaluate acceptability, we described participant-reported outcomes of LA-CAB+RPV among a population underrepresented in randomized controlled trials. Ruth M. Rothstein Core Center (CORE), large urban HIV clinic in Chicago, IL, USA. We interviewed persons living with HIV prescribed LA-CAB+RPV who receive primary care at CORE. Participant-reported outcome endpoints included treatment satisfaction, reasons for switching to LA-CAB+RPV, tolerability of injections, and unexpected effects of LA-CAB+RPV. Mean and standard deviations (mean ± SD) and proportions (%) are reported. Among respondents (N = 150), 67% identified as non-Hispanic Black, 24% Hispanic, 56% male; the average age was 43 years (SD: 13.2), and 37% were ≥50 years old. Most respondents (93%) completed ≥3 injection appointments at the time of interview. The most common reasons for switching to LA-CAB+RPV were no longer wanting to take pills (89%) and trouble taking their pills daily (58%). Treatment satisfaction was high (6.7 ± 0.5 out of 7). Two-thirds (61%) reported an unexpected aspect of their life improved. Pain from injections was common (89%), with a mean pain score of 4.3 out of 10. Among those reporting pain, half (47%) reported that pain decreased after initial injection. Among participants reporting pain score >6 (n = 36), most (78%) reported no improvement since initial injection. We found high treatment satisfaction with LA-CAB+RPV in a diverse population. Participants reported moderate injection pain, which improved with time. Results suggest injectable LA-CAB+RPV will be met with acceptability across diverse participant populations.

Although immunotherapy has emerged as a therapeutic strategy for many cancers, there are limited studies establishing the safety and efficacy in people living with HIV (PLWH) and cancer. PLWH and solid tumors or Kaposi sarcoma (KS) receiving antiretroviral therapy and a suppressed HIV viral load received nivolumab at 3mg/kg every 2weeks, in two dose deescalation cohorts stratified by CD4 count (stratum 1: CD4 count > 200/µL and stratum 2: CD4 count 100-199/µL). An expansion cohort of 24 participants with a CD4 count > 200/µL was then enrolled. A total of 36 PLWH received nivolumab, including 15 with KS and 21 with a variety of other solid tumors. None of the first 12 participants had dose-limiting toxicity in both CD4 strata, and five patients (14%) overall had grade 3 or higher immune related adverse events. Objective partial response occurred in nine PLWH and cancer (25%), including in six of 15 with KS (40%; 95% CI, 16.3-64.7). The median duration of response was 9.0months overall and 12.5months in KS. Responses were observed regardless of PDL1 expression. There were no significant changes in CD4 count or HIV viral load. Nivolumab has a safety profile in PLWH similar to HIV-negative subjects with cancer, and also efficacy in KS. Plasma HIV remained suppressed and CD4 counts remained stable during treatment and antiretroviral therapy, indicating no adverse impact on immune function. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02408861.

Many bacterial pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus, require inosine 5'-monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) for infection, making this enzyme a promising new target for antibiotics. Although potent selective inhibitors of bacterial IMPDHs have been reported, relatively few have displayed antibacterial activity. Here we use structure-informed design to obtain inhibitors of S. aureus IMPDH (SaIMPDH) that have potent antibacterial activity (minimal inhibitory concentrations less than 2 μM) and low cytotoxicity in mammalian cells. The physicochemical properties of the most active compounds were within typical Lipinski/Veber space, suggesting that polarity is not a general requirement for achieving antibacterial activity. Five compounds failed to display activity in mouse models of septicemia and abscess infection. Inhibitor-resistant S. aureus strains readily emerged in vitro. Resistance resulted from substitutions in the cofactor/inhibitor binding site of SaIMPDH, confirming on-target antibacterial activity. These mutations decreased the binding of all inhibitors tested, but also decreased catalytic activity. Nonetheless, the resistant strains had comparable virulence to wild-type bacteria. Surprisingly, strains expressing catalytically inactive SaIMPDH displayed only a mild virulence defect. Collectively these observations question the vulnerability of the enzymatic activity of SaIMPDH as a target for the treatment of S. aureus infections, suggesting other functions of this protein may be responsible for its role in infection.

Young men who have sex with men (YMSM) are disproportionately impacted by HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the United States (US) and have low rates of HIV/STI testing. Provision of HIV self-testing and STI self-collection can increase testing rates, and access to these kits through mobile applications (apps) could help facilitate YMSM using HIV self-testing and STI self-collection. Data for this study comes from two pilot randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of mobile apps within the Adolescent Trials Network-LYNX and MyChoices-aimed to increase HIV/STI testing among YMSM (age 15-24) who had not recently tested for HIV and were at high risk for HIV acquisition across five US cities. Both apps include the ability to order a HIV self-test with rapid results and a kit for STI self-collection and mailing of samples for syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia to a lab for testing. Using assessments of app users (n=80) at pre-randomization and at 3- and 6-months post-randomization and online interview data from a purposive sample of app users (n=37), we report on experiences and lessons learned with HIV self-testing and STI self-collection kits ordered via the apps. Participants were on average 20.7 years of age (SD =2.4), and 49% were non-White or multiple race/ethnicity. Sixty-three percent had a prior HIV test. Over half (58%) had a prior STI test, but only 3% had tested within the past 3 months. Nearly two-thirds ordered an HIV self-testing kit; of whom, 75% reported using at least one self-test kit over the study period. STI self-collection kit ordering rates were also high (54%); however, STI self-collection kit return rates were lower (13%), but with a high positivity rate (5.3%). Both HIV self-testing and STI self-collection kits were highly acceptable, and 87% reported that it was extremely/very helpful to be able to order these kits through the apps. The most common reason for not ordering the HIV/STI kits was preferring to test at a clinic. In interviews, participants expressed feeling empowered by being able to test at home; however, they also raised concerns around STI sample collection. HIV self-testing and STI self-collection kit ordering via mobile apps is feasible, acceptable and may show promise in increasing testing rates among YMSM. The LYNX and MyChoices apps are currently being tested in a full-scale efficacy trial, and if successful, these innovative mobile apps could be scaled up to efficiently increase HIV/STI testing among youth across the US.

Background: Latinx men are disproportionately impacted by HIV. Research often looks at Latinx people as a heterogeneous population. This paper describes baseline characteristics and barriers to HIV care among Mexican born men enrolled in an HIV care engagement intervention at a public health clinic in Chicago. Methods: Survey and medical chart data were collected. Results: 66 Mexican born men enrolled in the project. Over half (60%) were newly diagnosed; 40% were reengaging in care or establishing care for the first time. Participants reported significant pre and postmigration concerns including poverty, social stigma, late entry to care, and concurrent health concerns, including 47% screening positive for depression. Barriers to care and mental health concerns were significantly related to Stage 3 HIV. Discussion: More prevention and intervention research is needed to ameliorate the negative socioeconomic and health ramifications of immigration and bolster mental and sexual health, reduce HIV transmission, and increase testing, linkage and care retention.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10903-021-01158-y.

HIV integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTI) are considered well tolerated with few treatment-limiting adverse effects. However, emerging data from clinical trials has identified excessive weight gain possibly due to INSTI alone or with tenofovir alafenamide as a new and possible long-term complication of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). Identifying who is at greatest risk and whether the unintended weight gain is reversible remain unanswered questions. We report a return to baseline weight after switching back to tenofovir disoproxil/emtricitabine/efavirenz (Atripla®) in a woman who had profound weight gain due to tenofovir alafenamide/emtricitabine/cobicistat/elvitegravir (Genvoya®).

The advent of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapies has dramatically transformed HCV treatment, with most recent trials demonstrating high efficacy rates (>90%) across all genotypes and special populations, including patients with HIV/HCV coinfection. The efficacy rates of HCV treatment are nearly identical between patients with HCV monofection and patients with HIV/HCV coinfection; however, there are limited studies to compare real-world efficacy with efficacy observed in clinical trials. Using a database from HIV clinics across the United States (US), we identified 432 patients with HIV/HCV coinfection who completed DAA therapy from January 1, 2014 to March 31, 2017 and were assessed for efficacy. Efficacy was evaluated as sustained virologic response (SVR) 12 weeks after DAA completion; furthermore, factors associated with achieving SVR12 were identified. In this analysis, we found DAA therapies to be effective, with 94% of the patients achieving SVR12 and 6% experiencing virologic failure. Baseline variables, including older age, HCV viral load <800K IU/ML, FIB-4 score <1.45, absence of depression, diabetes, substance abuse, and use of DAA regimens without ribavirin were significant predictors of achieving SVR12. Patients with fewer comorbidities, better liver health, and lower HCV viral loads at baseline were more likely to achieve treatment success. Our results were consistent with other real-world studies, supporting the use of HCV therapy in HIV/HCV coinfected patients.

BackgroundRapid initiation of ART requires that clinicians start therapy prior to having baseline laboratory Results. High rates of virologic suppression and retention were reported in the DIAMOND trial. Efficacy and safety are presented, according to baseline disease characteristics.MethodsDIAMOND (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03227861), a phase 3, single-arm, open-label, prospective, multicenter study, assessed efficacy/safety of D/C/F/TAF in rapid initiation. Adults enrolled within 14 days of diagnosis and started D/C/F/TAF without baseline laboratory results; investigators reviewed results as they became available. Primary endpoint was virologic suppression (HIV-1 RNA < 50 copies[c]/mL; intent-to-treat (ITT); Food and Drug Administration [FDA] snapshot) at Week 48. Virologic suppression <50 c/mL and <200 c/mL were also assessed via an observed analysis, excluding patients with missing data.ResultsOverall, 109 patients were enrolled; 25% had HIV-1 RNA ≥100,000 c/mL and 21% had CD4+ < 200 cells/μL (Table 1). 21% of patients started therapy within 24 hours of diagnosis. At Week 48, 84%, and 88% of patients had HIV-1 RNA <50 c/mL and <200 c/mL (FDA snapshot), respectively. In the observed analysis, 96% and 100% of patients had HIV-1 RNA <50 c/mL and <200 c/mL, respectively, at Week 48. Earlier ART initiation, HIV-1 RNA <100,000 c/mL, and CD4+ >200 cells/μLwere associated with numerically higher virologic suppression rates (ITT-FDA snapshot; Table 2). No patient discontinued due to lack of efficacy or met protocol-defined virologic failure (PDVF) criteria. In the observed analysis, virologic suppression rates were consistent across all subgroups; all patients were suppressed <200 c/mL at Week 48. One patient discontinued due to an adverse event (AE); incidences of grade 3/4 (10%) and serious (9%) AEs were low, with no serious AEs related to study drug and no deaths.ConclusionIn the first phase 3 study of an STR in a rapid initiation model, no patients rapidly starting D/C/F/TAF discontinued therapy due to lack of efficacy or had PDVF through 48 weeks. High rates of virologic suppression were achieved and maintained with a variety of baseline characteristics, and treatment was safe and well tolerated, indicating D/C/F/TAF as a preferred ART option for patients rapidly starting treatment.DisclosuresAll Authors: No reported Disclosures.

The article entitled, "Electronic Clinical Decision Support Intervention to Increase Hepatitis C Screening and Linkage to Care Among Baby Boomers in Urban Safety Net Health Systems," by Armstrong et al., published online ahead of print (2019 Oct 8) in Population Health Management [doi: 10.1089/pop.2019.0105], requires a retraction due to duplicate publication in the Journal of Community Medicine & Health Education (JCMHE) in February of 2019, and then in Population Health Management in October of 2019. As it is against the standard protocols of peer review to publish original research in two different journals, Population Health Management is officially retracting the article from its literature. Population Health Management is dedicated to adhering to the policies and best practices of scientific publishing and the community it serves.

It has been over 30 years since the first antiretroviral agent was approved for treatment of HIV-1 infection and its impact on morbidity and mortality has been dramatic. However, early treatments were hindered by short- and long-term toxicity, poor tolerability, high pill burden, drug interactions and development of drug resistance. A major breakthrough in HIV therapeutics occurred over a decade ago with a new class of drugs that not only are preferred by HIV treatment guidelines but also are changing the HIV treatment paradigm. This new class of drugs are called HIV-1 integrase strand transfer inhibitors and they have established a role in almost every aspect of HIV treatment.