The medical world presents a new HIV and antiretroviral drug that is inclusive in almost all kinds of patients. Bictegravir, a HIV drug that is under phase 2 study requires no patient individualization in terms of underlying factors such as; hepatitis B, drug resistance, renal function, and sensitivity to other antiviral drugs.
According to Medscape, Bictegravir is a new integrase strand transfer inhibitor. The new drug is used with other antiviral agents such as emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide in order to reduce the patient individualization making it a retroviral therapy that is inclusive to every patient and hold no treatment limitations.
The study was conducted by Dr. Paul Sax, MD and his colleagues from Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. The research team observed treatment-naïve patients living with HIV. Open label emtricitabine plus tenofovir was administered in 98 patients while 65 patients randomly received either bictegravir or dolutegravir.
The result of the treatment was observed after 24 weeks. More HIV patients from the bictegravir group have achieved a viral load below 50cps/mL (97%) than in dolutegravir group (94%). The result of the approach remained unchanged in 48 weeks with no significant difference (97% vs. 91%).
The adverse events include nausea and diarrhea. The results reflected that both of the HIV drugs are well tolerated. However, the renal function was less extensive in the bictegravir group (7.0 mL/min) than in dolutegravir (11.3 mL/min). The glomerular filtration rate is a direct indication of renal function. Altogether, these first line drugs could be a promising HIV treatment option.
Dr. Joseph Eron from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill stated that if the results of the phase 2 study will coincide with the phase 3 results the development of the drug will be faster. He also added that the HIV drug will be probably available in 2018 and not in 2017.
On the other hand, World Health Organization (WHO) has provided the key population of people who are at risk of HIV. Transgender people, men who have sex with men, people in prisons and other closed settings, and sex workers should be screened with HIV to prevent the transmission of the viral condition.
Furthermore, although the new HIV drug is more effective the high cost is still on top of the consideration. The high cost of the antiretroviral therapy is always a barrier to a patient's adherence and commitment in healthcare.
