A Semiannual Injection Offers New Hope for HIV Prevention
A groundbreaking clinical trial has shown that a twice-yearly injection of Lenacapavir can dramatically reduce the risk of contracting HIV, offering new hope for those who struggle with daily oral PrEP regimens.
Lead by physicians at Emory University and Grady Health System, the federally-funded trial, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, explores the efficacy of Lenacapavir compared to Truvada, a commonly used daily oral HIV preventative medication. The results reveal that Lenacapavir provided a 96% reduced risk of infection compared to a 91% reduction with daily Truvada.
"Seeing these high levels of efficacy – at almost 100% –in an injectable that people only have to take every six months is incredible," said Colleen Kelley, MD, lead author of the study and renowned professor in the School of Medicine at Emory University.
**Expanding Access and Addressing Adherence
The success of the Lenacapavir injection is particularly encouraging considering the known challenge of adherence to daily PrEP regimens.
"We see that about half of people who start taking daily oral PrEP stop within a year typically due to various factors,” explained Kelley, referencing healthcare disparities, financial limitations, and personal circumstances as some post-suspected reasons for discontinFaça. "This injectable offers a solution by providing significant efficacy even with less frequent dosing, which is very impactful for people who have trouble accessing healthcare or staying dedicated to daily pills."
Establishing Trust Through Equitable Representation
Theassaronsisol was designed to be representative. Participants were noticeably from racially, ethnically, and gender-diverse backgrounds, reflecting communities disproportionately affected by HIV.
Valeria Cantos, MD, addressing the significance of inclusivity, emphasized the need for equitable representation in trials.
“At Grady, our focus is on increased representation of underserved and vulnerable populations, acknowledging and addressing the distrust some community members may feel towards research. We strive to build trust, realizing that not all populations have had positive experiences with research institutions in the past," explained Cantos.
With over 88 sites positioned globally across
Peru, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, South Africa, Thailand, and the U.S., the trial participant pool embodied the global scope of the HIV pandemic.
The study confirmed that populations disproportionately impacted by HIV often face limited access to PrEP and sometimes face challenges maintaining daily oral medication regimens.
**Looking Ahead:
Since the successful completion of the clinical trial, the team submitted their findings to the FDA for consideration.
Colleen Kelley remains optimistic about the potential for FDA approval by 2025 "This could be a game changer for certain people who are unable to take the daily oral pills. Having this tool available could make a huge difference."
Including the existence of these tools in equitable ways is vital. Carlos del Rio, MD, adds a wider perspective, concluding that we can reduce new infections dramatically only when treatment strategies are readily available and accessible to those who need them most.
Notably, a majority of new HIV infections in 2022 were among cisgender gay men, with alarming statistics indicating that 70% of these cases involved Black or Hispanic individuals. These data reiterate the unstable infection rates for these populations, reinforcing the critical need for access to varied preventive strategies
How does the long-acting nature of Lenacapavir address challenges associated with daily HIV prevention medication?
## Hope on the Horizon: A New HIV Prevention Option
**Interviewer:** Welcome back to our program. Today, we’re discussing exciting advancements in HIV prevention. Joining us today is Dr. Valeria Cantos, a leading expert in infectious diseases. Dr. Cantos, we understand there have been some exciting developments regarding a new HIV prevention method. Can you tell our viewers about it?
**Dr. Cantos:** Absolutely. This is incredibly promising news. We’ve just seen groundbreaking results from a clinical trial [[1](https://www.cdc.gov/stophivtogether/library/topics/prevention/brochures/cdc-lsht-prevention-brochure-clinicians-quick-guide-what-is-injectable-hiv-prep.pdf)]which shows that a twice-yearly injection of a drug called Lenacapavir drastically reduces the risk of contracting HIV, even outperforming a common daily oral medication called Truvada. Imagine, people could potentially be protected from HIV for six months with just two injections.
**Interviewer:** That’s amazing! What makes this new injection so effective?
**Dr. Cantos:** Lenacapavir was shown to be 96% effective at preventing HIV infection compared to Truvada, which showed a 91% reduction. This high level of efficacy in a less frequent dose is truly remarkable.
**Interviewer:** We know that sticking to daily medication can be a challenge for some people. Could you elaborate on the significance of this new approach?
**Dr. Cantos:** That’s a crucial point. We see about half of people who start daily HIV prevention medication discontinue it within a year. There are many reasons for this, including cost, access to healthcare, and simply forgetting to take pills.
This injectible offers a potential solution to those issues by providing consistent protection for a much longer period. Those who struggle with adherence could significantly benefit from this new option,
**Interviewer:**
This is remarkable news! Beyond effectiveness, is there anything else significant about this study?
**Dr. Cantos:** Yes, it’s crucial to note that the study consciously aimed for inclusivity. Participants were from diverse backgrounds, reflecting communities most affected by HIV. This is essential for building trust and ensuring equitable access to new prevention methods.
**Interviewer:**
Thank you so much for sharing this exciting news, Dr. Cantos.
This injectible HIV prevention method offers a promising future in the fight against the virus.
