Outcomes of the PLHIV With Suboptimal Viral Suppression to Injectable Long-acting Antiretrovirals

This is an open-label, multi-center, randomized, active-controlled, superiority trial on 40 adult subjects who had been diagnosed to have HIV infection for at least 12 months before enrollment but with suboptimal viral suppression despite antiretroviral treatment (ART), with the latest HIV-1 viral load ≥ 200 copies/mL. Participants' eligibility will be assessed through a review of their medical records, and individuals with established resistance to cabotegravir or rilpivirine will be excluded. Enrolled participants will then be randomized 1:1 to either "Delayed Switch to LA Treatment Group" or "Immediate LA Treatment Group" on enrollment. The "Delayed Switch to LA Treatment Group" will also switch to LA on week 24. The proportion of participants with HIV-1 RNA <200 copies/mL at week 24 in the two study groups will be compared. Psychologic assessments including self-stigma and depression assessment will also be performed on day1, at week 24 and week 52.

Inclusion criteria

• Willing to sign the written informed consent form for male and female participants aged 18 and above.
• At the time of enrollment, diagnosed with HIV infection for a minimum of 12 months.
• Under oral antiretroviral treatment (ART), which can be irregular or interrupted, with the most recent viral load ≥ 200 copies/mL.
• Body weight ≥ 35Kg.
• Willing to maintain contact with the research team throughout the study (provide accurate and reachable phone numbers, social accounts like Line, or reliable contact information of family or friends).
• Willing to receive gluteal (buttocks) drug injections.
• Willing to transition back to oral medication or follow the recommended treatment prescription according to the then-current national treatment guidelines after discontinuation of long-acting injectable drugs.

Exclusion criteria

• For those currently undergoing oral antiretroviral therapy, who have started or restarted oral ART for less than six consecutive months before screening.
• Previously undergone HIV drug resistance testing and known to have resistance mutations to either cabotegravir or rilpivirine.
• Unable to commit to maintaining contact with the research team throughout the study.
• Individuals who cannot receive treatment for hepatitis B during the period of transitioning to long-acting injections, if they are hepatitis B carriers.
• Individuals with buttock fillers.
• Women who are planning to become pregnant, pregnant, or currently breastfeeding.