A new study has found that a twice-yearly injection of Lenacapavir offers significantly higher HIV prevention efficacy compared to daily oral PrEP. The results, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, show that 96% of participants who received the injectable did not acquire an HIV infection, surpassing the efficacy of Truvada, a commonly used PrEP medication.
The study’s lead author, Colleen Kelley, notes that the findings are “incredible” and demonstrate a significant advancement in medicine. The trial compared the efficacy of Lenacapavir to oral PrEP in a randomized, double-blind Phase III clinical trial involving 2,179 participants.
Kelley highlights the importance of adherence to daily oral medication, noting that about half of people who start taking daily oral PrEP stop within a year due to various factors. The injectable’s longer interval between doses makes it more accessible to individuals with limited access to healthcare or difficulty staying adherent to daily medication.
The study included racially, ethnically, and gender-diverse participants from diverse countries, including Peru, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, South Africa, Thailand, and the U.S. This representation is notable, as the populations disproportionately impacted by HIV are often those with limited access to PrEP or difficulty consistently taking oral antiretroviral medication.
The study’s findings have significant implications for HIV prevention, particularly for individuals who may struggle with daily oral medication adherence. Carlos del Rio, chair of the Department of Medicine at Emory University School of Medicine, notes that the results offer “new hope” for those unable to take oral medications and emphasize the need to roll out and make these tools available in an equitable way.
Lenacapavir is currently undergoing FDA review and may be approved for commercial use by 2025. The study’s authors hope that this injectable will significantly decrease new HIV infections locally and globally, providing a much-needed tool in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Source: https://scitechdaily.com/six-month-hiv-prevention-shot-achieves-99-efficacy-in-major-study