Long-Acting Cabotegravir and Rilpivirine in People Living With HIV-1 Subtype A6: A Real-World Retrospective Study

This study evaluates the real-world effectiveness and safety of a long-acting injectable HIV treatment consisting of cabotegravir and rilpivirine in people living with HIV-1. The focus is on individuals with HIV-1 subtype A6, which is common in Eastern Europe and among people who acquired HIV in that region, and on comparison with individuals with subtype B and those with an unknown subtype. Although long-acting cabotegravir and rilpivirine are widely used and effective, limited real-world data are available on how well this treatment works in people with HIV-1 subtype A6. This is important because subtype A6 has been suggested as a potential risk factor for treatment failure, but current evidence is inconclusive. The study uses existing medical records from treatment centers in Poland, Germany, and the Czech Republic. It includes adults with HIV who have received at least one injection of long-acting cabotegravir and rilpivirine and follows their clinical outcomes for up to 24 months. Researchers will assess viral suppression, treatment persistence, adherence to injection schedules, and reasons for treatment discontinuation. The results of this study will help clinicians better understand whether HIV-1 subtype A6 affects treatment outcomes and whether knowing a patient's HIV subtype is important when deciding to switch to long-acting injectable therapy. The findings may support safer and more effective use of this treatment in diverse patient populations.