Rapid Reinitiation of a Single Tablet Antiretroviral Therapy Using Symtuza® in HIV-1 Infected Treatment-Experienced Patients Off Therapy. (ReSTART)

In the United States, only 49 percent of persons living with HIV infection are currently retained in care (Centers for Disease Control, 2018). Many individuals initially start antiretroviral therapy (ART) but fall out of care and discontinue treatment, only to reenter care at a later date. Gaps in care contribute to the likelihood that a patient might not have a recent viral load or CD4 count, as well as knowledge of previous ART regimens or resistance data. Furthermore, high plasma HIV-1 RNA is a major risk factor for HIV transmission, and effective ART can reduce viremia and transmission of HIV to sexual partners by more than 96% (Cohen et al., 2011; Palella et al., 1998). Thus, a secondary goal of ART is to reduce the risk of HIV transmission.

Traditional models of care have an initial period where a person is brought back into care and assessed by a healthcare provider on various factors, including HIV RNA level, genotypic/ phenotypic resistance, immune status, renal/hepatic function, and general medical comorbidities before reinitiating ART. These steps can add weeks without treatment and, in turn, delay resupression of the virus and immune system improvement, as well as continuing to contribute to the community viral load and offering more opportunities for the person to fall out of care again. (Horburg et al., 2013) This traditional model places a burden on both the patient and the healthcare system as multiple visits are required, each one a potential point where the patient can be lost again to follow-up.

A rapid reinitiation of ART for persons who have fallen out of care is a potential intervention that could improve retention rates, patient satisfaction, and clinical outcomes. Given these factors, the single-tablet regimen of D/C/F/TAF (Symtuza®) may serve as an ideal regimen for a Rapid Reinitiation model of care, combining potency, sustained efficacy, a high genetic barrier to resistance, with a well-described safety profile of the individual components, and practical, convenient dosing.

This prospective, multicenter study will follow subjects for 48 weeks with subjects either returning to the site or having a virtual visit (TeleVisit) for Weeks 2, 4, 12, 24, 36, and 48. Baseline safety labs will dictate whether the ART regimen will need to be modified but will not be required to be completed at the initiation of ART. Assessment of drug accountability, reasons for non-adherence, recording of concomitant therapies, adverse events, weight, physical examinations (complete or symptom-directed), laboratory evaluations (for efficacy and safety), and health outcome assessments will be performed from baseline onwards.

Inclusion criteria

• At least 18 years of age at screening/baseline visit.
• Antiretroviral treatment-experienced and have not received any anti-HIV treatment within 12 weeks prior to screening.
• Contraceptive use by men or women should be consistent with the local regulations regarding the use of contraceptive methods for subject participating in clinical studies.
• Men must agree not to donate sperm during the study until 90 days after receiving the last dose of study drug (or longer, if dictated by local regulations).
• Must be able to swallow whole tablets or swallow tablets cut into halves.

Exclusion criteria

• Known active cryptococcal infection, active toxoplasmic encephalitis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, or another AIDS-defining condition that in the judgment of the investigator would increase the risk of morbidity or mortality.
• Known resistance to any of the components of D/C/F/TAF; subjects with known or identified FTC resistance attributed to an M184V mutation alone will be permitted to remain in the study.
• Prior virologic failure on a DRV-containing regimen from known history or from medical records.
• Known history of clinically relevant hepatic disease or hepatitis that in the investigator's judgment is not compatible with D/C/F/TAF.
• Known history of severe hepatic impairment as diagnosed based on documented history of severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh C).
• Known history of chronic (≥3 months) renal insufficiency, defined as having an eGFR<30 mL/min according to the MDRD formula.
• Pregnant, or breast-feeding, or planning to become pregnant while enrolled in this study or within 90 days after the last dose of study treatment.
• Plans to father a child while enrolled in this study or within 90 days after the last dose of study treatment.
• Current alcohol or substance use judged by the investigator to potentially interfere with subject study adherence.
• Known history of malignancy within the past 5 years or ongoing malignancy other than cutaneous Kaposi's sarcoma, basal cell carcinoma, or resected, noninvasive cutaneous squamous carcinoma.
• Known active, severe infections (other than HIV-1 infection) requiring parenteral antibiotic or antifungal therapy that in the judgment of the investigator would increase the risk of morbidity or mortality.
• Any other condition or prior therapy for which, in the opinion of the investigator, participation would not be in the best interest of the subject (e.g., compromise the wellbeing) or that could prevent, limit, or confound the protocol-specified assessments.
• Subject unlikely to comply with the protocol requirements based on clinical judgment.
• Received an investigational drug (including investigational vaccines) or used an invasive investigational medical device within 90 days before the planned first dose of study treatment or is currently enrolled in an investigational study.
• Subjects receiving ongoing therapy with contraindicated, not recommended, drugs that cannot be adequately dose-adjusted, or subjects with any known allergies to the excipients of the D/C/F/TAF.
• Employee of the investigator or study site, with direct involvement in the proposed study or other studies under the direction of that investigator or study site, as well as family members of the employees or the investigator, or employees of Johnson & Johnson.