Study of Long-Acting Cabotegravir and Rilpivirine for People Aged 60 and Over Living with HIV-1

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What is this study about?

This clinical trial is focused on studying the treatment of HIV-1 in people aged 60 years and older. The study will use two medications: Cabotegravir and Rilpivirine. These medications are given as prolonged-release injections, which means they are designed to release the medicine slowly over time. The purpose of the study is to evaluate how well these medications work in maintaining low levels of the virus in the blood.

Participants in the study will switch from their current oral antiretroviral therapy (ART) to the new treatment with Cabotegravir and Rilpivirine injections. The study will last for 96 weeks, which is a little less than two years. During this time, participants will receive regular injections and have their health monitored to see how well the treatment is working and to check for any side effects.

The study aims to see if the new treatment can keep the virus at low levels in the blood, specifically looking at the number of virus copies per milliliter of blood. This is important for managing HIV-1 and ensuring that the virus does not become active again. The results will help determine if this new treatment approach is effective for older adults living with HIV-1.

1 initial assessment

The initial assessment involves confirming eligibility for the trial. This includes ensuring the absence of viral resistance and confirming a stable antiretroviral regimen.

A blood test is conducted to verify that plasma HIV-1 RNA levels are below 50 copies per milliliter.

2 medication transition

Participants transition from their current antiretroviral regimen to the trial medications: cabotegravir and rilpivirine.

These medications are administered as prolonged-release suspensions through intramuscular injections.

3 first injection

The first injection of REKAMBYS (rilpivirine 900 mg) and Vocabria (cabotegravir 600 mg) is administered intramuscularly.

This step marks the beginning of the 96-week trial period.

4 regular follow-up

Regular follow-up visits are scheduled to monitor health and the effectiveness of the treatment.

Blood tests are conducted periodically to ensure plasma HIV-1 RNA levels remain below 50 copies per milliliter.

5 monthly injections

Monthly injections of cabotegravir and rilpivirine are administered to maintain medication levels in the body.

These injections continue for the duration of the 96-week trial.

6 final assessment

At the end of the 96-week period, a final assessment is conducted.

This includes a comprehensive evaluation of health status and the effectiveness of the treatment regimen.

Who Can Join the Study?

  • Be able to understand and follow the study’s rules and instructions.
  • Understand the long-term commitment required for the study and be likely to complete it as planned.
  • Be suitable for participating in a clinical trial with oral and injectable medications. This means no active substance use disorder, no serious organ disease, and no planned long-term work assignments outside the country.
  • Must be on a stable antiretroviral treatment without any current or past signs of the virus becoming resistant to the medication, and no previous failure with certain types of HIV medications called NNRTI and INI.
  • Have a very low level of HIV in the blood, specifically less than 50 copies per milliliter, at the time of screening.
  • If female, must not be pregnant, confirmed by a negative pregnancy test, and must not be breastfeeding.
  • Be an adult aged 60 years or older, currently receiving antiretroviral treatment for at least 6 months.
  • Must have given written informed consent, which means agreeing to participate in the study after being fully informed about it.

Who Cannot Join the Study?

  • Individuals who are not on stable oral ART (antiretroviral therapy) cannot participate. ART is a treatment for HIV that helps control the virus in the body.
  • Participants with plasma HIV-1 RNA levels of 50 copies/mL or more at the start of the study are excluded. Plasma HIV-1 RNA is a measure of the amount of HIV in the blood.
  • People under the age of 60 are not eligible to join the study.
  • Individuals who are part of a vulnerable population are not allowed to participate. A vulnerable population includes groups of people who may be at a higher risk of harm or exploitation.

Where you can join this trial?

Verified and Recommended Sites

No sites found in this category

Verified Sites

No sites found in this category

Other Sites

Site Name City Country Status
University Clinical Hospital Virgen De La Arrixaca Murcia Spain
Hospital Marina Baixa De La Vila Joiosa Villajoyosa Spain
Hospital General Universitario Morales Meseguer Murcia Spain

Want to learn more about this study or check if you can participate? Contact us.

Trial status

Country Status Recruitment Start
Spain Spain
Not recruiting
01.01.2025

Trial locations

Investigated drugs:

Cabotegravir is a long-acting medication used in the treatment of HIV-1. It is designed to be administered as an injection, allowing for less frequent dosing compared to daily oral medications. This can help improve adherence to treatment and maintain viral suppression in people living with HIV.

Rilpivirine is another long-acting medication used alongside Cabotegravir for the treatment of HIV-1. Like Cabotegravir, it is given as an injection, which helps reduce the frequency of dosing. Rilpivirine works by preventing the virus from multiplying, thereby helping to control the infection and improve the patient’s health.

HIV-1 – Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 is a virus that attacks the immune system, specifically targeting CD4 cells, which are crucial for immune defense. Over time, HIV-1 can weaken the immune system, making the body more susceptible to infections and certain diseases. The virus is primarily transmitted through contact with infected bodily fluids, such as blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. Initially, individuals may experience flu-like symptoms, but as the virus progresses, it can lead to more severe immune system damage. Without intervention, HIV-1 can progress to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), where the immune system is severely compromised. The progression of the disease varies among individuals, influenced by factors such as viral load and overall health.

Trial ID:
2022-502882-53-00
Protocol code:
IMIB-LOVER60-2022-03
Trial Phase:
Therapeutic confirmatory (Phase III)

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