Descovy (emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide) / Gilead - LARVOL DELTA

Pilot outcomes of a telehealth model for youth PrEP (TelePrEP) among youth at risk for HIV in Colorado. (PubMed, HIV Res Clin Pract) - "Youths 14-24 years of age eligible for PrEP using oral tenofovir alafenamide and emtricitabine (F/TAF) were enrolled in a prospective type 1 hybrid effectiveness implementation study...PrEP uptake and retention remain challenging for youth at risk for HIV. Further tailoring of PrEP models of care is needed to achieve risk reduction goals for youth."

Journal • Human Immunodeficiency Virus • Infectious Disease

Bictegravir's effect on persistent low-level viremia and immunological response. BELAIR study: A pilot prospective observational study. (PubMed, Int J STD AIDS) - "A significant gradual elevation of CD4/CD8 ratio was also observed (0.51 ± 0.30 before switch vs 0.69 ± 0.35 at 12 months, p < 0.001).ConclusionThe results of the present study indicate that BIC/TAF/FTC may improve the immunological response and reduce the proportion of PWHIV experiencing persistent LLV. Further studies in larger patient series are needed to determine the full beneficial role of bictegravir."

Journal • Observational data • Human Immunodeficiency Virus • Infectious Disease • CD4 • CD8

Preexposure Prophylaxis Prescription Dispensation Status and HIV-1 Acquisition. (PubMed, JAMA Netw Open) - "Retrospective observational cohort study from January 2021 to December 2023 using US pharmacy claims data from HIV-1-negative adults who received daily oral brand emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (F/TDF), generic F/TDF (gF/TDF), or emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (F/TAF), or intramuscular injection of cabotegravir every 2 months, for PrEP (after a 180-day washout period for previous PrEP use). In this cohort study, HIV-1 incidence was higher in individuals with abandoned or rejected PrEP claims compared with those with dispensed claims. These findings highlight the importance of targeted strategies to improve PrEP claim dispensation and remove payer barriers to reduce HIV-1 transmission."

Journal • Observational data • Retrospective data • Human Immunodeficiency Virus • Infectious Disease

Authors' Reply to Letter to the Editor Regarding 'Effectiveness, safety, and patient-reported outcomes of emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide-based regimens for the treatment of HIV-1 infection: Final 24-month results from the prospective German TAFNES cohort study'. (PubMed, HIV Med) - No abstract available

Journal • Human Immunodeficiency Virus • Infectious Disease

Clinical Efficacy and Safety of BIC/TAF/FTC in Elderly HIV-Infected Individuals in Southwest China: A Retrospective Observation Study. (PubMed, Immun Inflamm Dis) - "For elderly HIV/AIDS patients, B/F/TAF is a safe option to achieve and maintain virological suppression and immune recovery. In terms of lipid metabolism, the metabolic effects of BIC/FTC/TAF in the treated patients are not significant, and the effects in untreated patients require longer follow-up."

Journal • Retrospective data • Human Immunodeficiency Virus • Infectious Disease • Metabolic Disorders • CD4 • CD8

Diagnosis of HIV infection during pregnancy: Trends from a national cohort in Spain. (PubMed, HIV Med) - "Among women diagnosed with HIV during pregnancy, half were late presenters, and one-third were diagnosed after the first trimester, with higher percentages among African and Latin American women. There was a high proportion of caesarean deliveries. Most women initiated ART promptly after cohort enrolment and achieved undetectable VL at the end of pregnancy."

Journal • Human Immunodeficiency Virus • Infectious Disease

Tenofovir alafenamide fumarate use for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis and weight gain. (PubMed, Sci Rep) - "Daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), including emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (TAF), is a key strategy for HIV prevention. TAF-only (β = 2.532, 95%CI 0.708-4.356) and TDF-TAF (β = 2.756, 95%CI 0.890-4.621) were associated with significantly increased weight gain compared to TDF-only use. Closer monitoring of weight gain is recommended for individuals using TAF to prevent HIV."

Journal • Human Immunodeficiency Virus • Infectious Disease

EXPRESS-PrEP: Evaluating PrEP Rapid Engagement and Same-Day Start for HIV Prevention in gbMSM. (PubMed, Int J Infect Dis) - "Same-day PrEP initiation is safe, feasible, and improves uptake and persistence. Adoption of this model may reduce barriers and accelerate HIV prevention."

Journal • Human Immunodeficiency Virus • Infectious Disease

An Old Problem With a Re-purposed Solution: Novel Application of Emtricitabine-Tenofovir to Treat Persistent HBV Viremia (ACG 2025) - "Importantly, HBV DNA levels were consistently elevated with other NUC therapies across all cases, then became undetectable shortly after initiation of either FTC-TDF or FTC-TAF. Abbreviations: EMR (electronic medical records); ETV (Entecavir); FTC-TAF (Emtricitabine-Tenofovir Alafenamide); FTC-TDF (Emtricitabine-Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate); IU/mL (international units per milliliter); LDT (Telbivudine); LMV (Lamivudine); NUC (Nucleos(t)ide Analogues).​"

Fibrosis • Hepatitis B • Hepatitis C • Hepatocellular Cancer • Hepatology • Human Immunodeficiency Virus • Immunology • Infectious Disease • Liver Cirrhosis • Solid Tumor

Resistance Analyses of Lenacapavir, Emtricitabine/Tenofovir Alafenamide and Emtricitabine/Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate in the PURPOSE 1 and 2 Studies. (PubMed, J Infect Dis) - "Acquisition of HIV while receiving LEN and resistance to LEN in the context of unrecognized HIV was rare but associated with the emergence of the N74D LEN resistance-associated substitution in this population."

Journal • Human Immunodeficiency Virus • Infectious Disease

Antiviral efficacy of doravirine-based regimens in patients with NNRTI resistance in Europe: a retrospective observational study (EACS 2025) - "Most received DOR with TDF/3TC (91.4%); 8.6% received DOR with TAF/FTC. One experienced patient (1.8%) with multiple baseline NRTI and NNRTI RAMs that collectively may impact sensitivity to DOR experienced virological failure. Conclusions : In this well-characterised multicentre European cohort of PLWH with NNRTI RAMs and preserved genotypic DOR susceptibility, DOR-based regimens achieved high virological success and excellent treatment retention at 48 weeks."

Late-breaking abstract • Observational data • Retrospective data • Human Immunodeficiency Virus • Infectious Disease • CD4

Metabolic and Body Composition Outcomes at 48 Weeks among People with HIV and Obesity on Integrase Inhibitors and Tenofovir Alafenamide Switching to Doravirine with or without Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate: ACTG A5391 (the DO-IT Trial) (EACS 2025) - "Changes at 48 weeks in triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and HOMA-IR were not different between DOR+TAF/FTC or DOR+TDF/FTC versus INSTI+TAF/FTC ( Figure ). Conclusions : Among PWH with obesity and insulin resistance, switching from an INSTI+TAF regimen to regimens containing DOR with either TAF or TDF did not meaningfully alter lipids, HOMA-IR, or body composition at 48 weeks. Other interventions are needed to improve metabolic health or reduce adiposity in people who have gained excessive weight or are obese following ART initiation."

Human Immunodeficiency Virus • Infectious Disease

Efficacy and tolerability of BIC/TAF/FTC in people with HIV and solid and hematological neoplasms: a multicenter observational study (BIKONCO Study) (EACS 2025) - "Conclusions : Switching to BIC/FTC/TAF avoided 19.9% of potential interactions while maintaining efficacy and safety. These findings may help optimize clinical management in this high-risk population."

Clinical • Observational data • Human Immunodeficiency Virus • Infectious Disease

Interaction between GLP-1 receptor agonists and cART in PLWH and obesity: a case report (EACS 2025) - "Newer regimens, particularly those containing second-generation integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) and tenofovir alafenamide (TAF), have been associated with significant weight gain, while tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) appears to have a weight-suppressive effect.We describe a 62-year-old man living with HIV on a stable ART regimen (TAF/FTC/DRV/c), with a history of hypertensive heart disease and class II obesity (BMI 35 kg/m2). This case highlights the potential of GLP-1 receptor agonists as an effective treatment option for obesity in PLWH, particularly when lifestyle modifications have failed. Further studies are warranted to explore their long-term safety and efficacy in this population, and to better characterize any pharmacological interactions with antiretroviral therapy."

Case report • Clinical • Human Immunodeficiency Virus • Infectious Disease

Advanced coronary artery disease in a low-risk HIV patient – a case for early statin intervention (EACS 2025) - "His antiretroviral regimen initially was Kivexa and Efavirenz, which was then switched to Atripla in 2020 and switched to Descovy and Efavirenz in 2022. This case reinforces the inadequacy of relying solely on traditional risk scores for cardiovascular risk assessment in People Living With HIV(PLWH). Chronic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction associated with HIV infection may drive atherosclerosis independently of classical risk factors. In alignment with the REPRIEVE study outcomes, the BHIVA now recommends initiating statins in PLWH based on Q-Risk, advocating for early, primary preventive cardiovascular management in this population."

Clinical • Metastases • Human Immunodeficiency Virus • Infectious Disease • CD4

A case of disseminated Trichosporon asahii infection in a patient with advanced human immunodeficiency virus disease and Kaposi sarcoma (EACS 2025) - "Treatment with DRV/c/FTC/TAF was initiated and, following Kaposi sarcoma diagnosis with no response to initial treatment, paclitaxel chemotherapy...Despite antifungal treatment with voriconazole and amphotericin B, the patient developed septic shock and worsening respiratory failure, requiring ICU admission and mechanical ventilation...The combination of severe CD4 depletion, ongoing corticosteroid exposure, and mucosal barrier injury from chemotherapy likely predisposed to invasive fungal disease. Early clinical suspicion, timely mycologic confirmation, and aggressive supportive care are critical in the management of such high-risk patients."

Clinical • Metastases • Human Immunodeficiency Virus • Infectious Disease • Septic Shock • CD4

Treatment of refractory Giardiasis with quinacrine in a young refugee with HIV and HCV coinfection (EACS 2025) - "Serology revealed hepatitis C virus genotype 1b with an RNA viral load of 552,000 IU/mL (log 5.74) and occult hepatitis B (anti-core positive, HBsAg negative, undetectable HBV DNA).Antiretroviral therapy with BIC/TAF/FTC was initiated, achieving virologic suppression and improved CD4 counts. He was also treated for hepatitis C with sofosbuvir/velpatasvir, with sustained virological response...He received a single 2 g dose of tinidazole, followed by nitazoxanide 500 mg BID for 3 days, both without full clinical and parasitological response... This case highlights the importance of considering quinacrine as a safe and effective option for treating refractory giardiasis, particularly in immunocompromised patients. Though rarely used today, quinacrine remains a valuable therapeutic tool when conventional agents fail. It also underscores the need for comprehensive evaluation of gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with newly diagnosed HIV, especially in migrant populations."

Hepatitis B • Hepatitis C • Human Immunodeficiency Virus • Infectious Disease • CD4 • CD8

Disseminated Mycobacterium Avium Complex (dMAC) and Ophthalmoplegia - a diagnostic challenge (EACS 2025) - "He was started on rifabutin, azithromycin, ethambutol and anti-retroviral therapy (Descovy/Dolutegravir)...He was initiated on Infliximab for presumed steroid refractory MAC IRIS in August 2024 with good symptomatic response... This case highlights the diagnostic challenges of neurological lesions in advanced HIV. While IRIS and opportunistic diseases are primary considerations in cavernous sinus syndrome with advanced HIV and dMAC, malignancy, particularly meningiomas or more rare mesenchymal tumours like leiomyosarcomas (such as in this case), must be considered in progressive or steroid-refractory cases. Early histopathological confirmation is crucial to avoid delays in oncological management."

Hepatitis B • Human Immunodeficiency Virus • Infectious Disease • CD4

CMV-related cholangiopathy as part of IRIS in an HIV-infected patient with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (EACS 2025) - "He received voriconazole and later started antiretroviral therapy (TAF/FTC + DTG)...Treatment with voriconazole 200 mg BID and valganciclovir (900 mg/day) was discontinued after one year... This case highlights the diagnostic complexity of opportunistic infections and immune-mediated complications in patients with advanced HIV. CMV cholangiopathy is a rare but important differential diagnosis in patients with obstructive liver abnormalities after ART initiation. Early recognition and combined antiviral and immunomodulatory therapy are essential for favorable outcomes."

Clinical • Cytomegalovirus Infection • Human Immunodeficiency Virus • Infectious Disease • Tuberculosis • CD4

Virological failure with NNRTI resistance on CAB+RPV-LA in a man with subtherapeutic cabotegravir levels (EACS 2025) - "He achieved sustained virological suppression (HIV-RNA 10 years on oral ART (TDF/FTC/EFV, then TDF/3TC/DOR)...Oral TAF/FTC/DRV/c was briefly initiated but stopped once the subsequent HIV-RNA measurement was <50 c/mL and HIV-DNA sequencing showed no RAMs... This case suggests a potential influence of injection technique and illustrates how retrospective TDM can help elucidate pharmacological contributors to virological failure on long-acting injectables. TDM may assist clinical decision-making in selected cases and inform real-world optimisation strategies."

Human Immunodeficiency Virus • Infectious Disease • CD4

Effect of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination on HIV viral load in patients under BIC/TAF/FTC therapy: a retrospective observational study (EACS 2025) - "Purpose : The purpose of our study is to evaluate the impact of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination on HIV viremia in patients treated with bictegravir-based regimen. 2) estimated a risk of blip among non-vaccinated group in OR 3.78 (95% CI, 1.46-9.78). Conclusions : Our data suggest that SARS-CoV-2 vaccination may stimulate an immune response that enhances CD4+ and CD8+ cell function, contributing to a reduction in number of blips and maintaining a good viro-immunological control in patients with HIV, supporting the importance of vaccination in this population"

Observational data • Retrospective data • Human Immunodeficiency Virus • Infectious Disease • Novel Coronavirus Disease • CD4 • CD8

Engagement of Women of Color in HIV Prevention through PrEP at a Clinic Serving LGBTQ+ Communities (EACS 2025) - "I examined birth sex, gender identity, and medication preferences (Descovy, Truvada, Apretude, Generic Truvada) among cisgender women and male-to-female (MTF) transgender women. My findings underscore the need for targeted outreach and culturally tailored care to address disparities in HIV prevention for women of color. This contributes to enhanced health equity and a reduction in new HIV diagnoses."

Clinical • Human Immunodeficiency Virus • Infectious Disease

Switch to BIC/TAF/FTC or DTG + TDF/FTC in virologically suppressed PWH: outcomes in real-world setting and impact of tenofovir resistance (EACS 2025) - P | "Purpose : We evaluated whether switching to bictegravir/tenofovir alafenamide/emtricitabine (BIC/TAF/FTC) or dolutegravir (DTG)/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)/FTC in people with HIV (PWH) with virological success increased risks of virological failure (VF), and if VF was driven by tenofovir resistance. Conclusions : in a real-world setting, switching to BIC/TAF/FTC or DTG + TDF/FTC in PWH with virological success was not associated with an increased risk of VF in comparison with maintaining a variety of antiretroviral regimen. Presence of M184 V or M184 I mutations and tenofovir resistance were not associated with VF under BIC/TAF/FTC or DTG+TDF/FTC."

Clinical • Real-world • Real-world evidence • Human Immunodeficiency Virus • Infectious Disease

LONG-TERM BIC/TAF/FTC DURABILITY AND IMPACT OF DTG/3TC OR LONG-ACTING CABO/RPV (EACS 2025) - "Change to DTG/3TC was 2.5%, and only one third of PLHIV changed to LA when discussed. 7% of subjects who had discontinued BIC/TAF/FTC restarted it."

Human Immunodeficiency Virus • Infectious Disease

Impact of bictegravir/emtricitabin/tenofovir alafenamid (BIC/TAF/FTC) and Dolutegravir/Lamivudine on Depression Symptoms in People Living with HIV: A Retrospective Analysis of Beck Depression Inventory Scores (EACS 2025) - "Both treatment regimens demonstrated effectiveness in reducing depressive symptoms in PLWH. While both groups showed significant within-group improvements in BDI scores (p<0.05), it was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of BDI score reduction."

Retrospective data • Human Immunodeficiency Virus • Infectious Disease • CD4