Safety and efficacy of lamivudine/dolutegravir vs.bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide in antiretroviral-naive adults with HIV-1 infection in Shanghai, China: a single-centre retrospective study

Abstract

Introduction.Lamivudine plus dolutegravir (3TC/DTG) and bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (B/F/TAF) regimens are commonly used as first-line treatments for people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (PLWH) worldwide.Gap Statement.There are limited comparative data on the antiviral activity and safety between these regimens in ART-naive PLWH, particularly in China, where the 3TC/DTG regimen was integrated into first-line therapy in 2021 and gained broader adoption after its inclusion in the National Health Insurance in 2022.Aims.This study aims to provide real-world evidence comparing the 3TC/DTG regimen to the B/F/TAF regimen in ART-naive PLWH in China.Methodology.This retrospective study enrolled PLWH initiating ART with either 3TC/DTG or B/F/TAF in Shanghai from January 2020 to January 2023.Demographic characteristics and clinical information were collected and compared for each patient.Results.A total of 380 eligible, ART-naive PLWH were included, with 190 patients in the 3TC/DTG group and 190 patients in the B/F/TAF group.Following the initiation of ART, most patients (94.1 and 89.3% for 3TC/DTG and B/F/TAF groups, respectively) achieved viral suppression (<50 copies of HIV RNA per millilitre) at week 24.The CD4 cell count significantly increased from a baseline of 301.3±185.8 cells per microlitre to 479.5±229.3 cells per microlitre at week 36 for the 3TC/DTG group and from 289.2±188.8 cells per microlitre at baseline to 487.8±234.2 cells per microlitre at week 36 for the B/F/TAF group.Both groups experienced an increase in blood lipid levels after initiating ART, with higher levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) observed in the 3TC/DTG group compared with the B/F/TAF group.Renal and hepatic function indicators remained stable in both groups.Conclusions.3TC/DTG demonstrates similar antiviral efficacy to B/F/TAF and does not significantly impact liver and kidney functions.Patients receiving 3TC/DTG showed higher plasma HDL-C levels compared with those on B/F/TAF, which confer long-term clinical benefits in reducing cardiovascular risk.