Changes in inflammatory biomarkers and lipid profiles after switching to long-acting cabotegravir plus rilpivirine

Objectives: In people with HIV, viremia is associated with chronic inflammation does not return to the level as in non-HIV-infected individuals even after viral suppression with antiretroviral therapy. The objective of this study was to determine whether long-acting cabotegravir plus rilpivirine has a different effect on reducing inflammation compared to oral antiretroviral drugs. Design: In this retrospective cohort study, we followed the inflammation biomarkers, such as C-reactive protein and CD4/CD8 ratio, and lipid profiles from baseline to 7 months after starting injectable cabotegravir plus rilpivirine. Patients were grouped by the regimens prior to the switching. Results: Seventy-eight patients were analyzed. Comparing baseline with 7 months after starting injectable cabotegravir plus rilpivirine, CD4/CD8 ratio and C-reactive protein did not change. CD8 count and CD4 count were significantly decreased in the group switching from dolutegravir-based regimen but not in the tenofovir alafenamide-based regimen group. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased resulting in the decrease in total-cholesterol/High-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio, whereas there was no significant change in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in all groups. Conclusions: The change from oral antiretroviral therapy to long-acting cabotegravir plus rilpivirine did not change inflammatory biomarkers, but did improve some lipid profiles. No effect of tenofovir alafenamide on the lipid profile was observed.