Darunavir/Cobicistat/FTC/TAF Coformulation Approved; More Data from EMERALD Switch Study
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has given approval to a coformulation of darunavir 800 mg/cobicistat 150 mg/emtricitabine 200 mg/tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) 10 mg, to be marketed under the brand name Symtuza. DRV/COBI/FTC/TAF constitutes a complete regimen for patients with susceptible HIV, and is the first protease inhibitor-containing single-tablet regimen (STR).
Practicing Cultural Humility to Transform Health Care
Moving beyond culture competency to cultural humility acknowledges patients’ authority over their own lived experience
Health care delivery often involves a one-size-fits-all approach. As clinicians, we treat a patient with a particular diagnosis similar to the last patient we saw with the same diagnosis because it’s efficient—we think. But shifting that mindset is one of the best opportunities we have to help people truly thrive. An individual’s lived experience is rich, diverse, and complicated.
Possible Safety Issue with Dolutegravir during Pregnancy: Reports of Neural Tube Defects
On May 18, 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the World Health Organization announced that cases of neural tube defects have been reported in babies of women with HIV who were on treatment with dolutegravir at the time of conception and during early pregnancy. The information comes from an unplanned interim analysis of an observational study (the Tsepamo Study) of ART (dolutegravir/TDF/FTC or efavirenz/TDF/FTC) in pregnant women in Botswana.
Rifampin Drug-Drug Interactions with Newer Antiretrovirals (TAF, Bictegravir, Dolutegravir)
Treatment of tuberculosis (TB) in HIV-infected persons remains challenging, in part because of drug interactions between rifampin and some ARVs that may compromise antiretroviral therapy (ART). Three studies presented at CROI provide clinicians with additional guidance on
Bictegravir Approved for Initial ART, in Combination with TAF/FTC
Bictegravir (BIC), a new integrase inhibitor, was recently approved by the FDA for use in a single-pill coformulation with TAF/FTC (brand name: Biktarvy) as initial therapy and as a switch regimen
Bictegravir/TAF/FTC in Women
The single-pill combination of bictegravir (BIC) with tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) and emtricitabine (FTC), recently approved by the FDA, has been shown in four Phase III trials to be effective as initial therapy
Immediate ART Initiation Improves Time to Viral Suppression
The availability of ART immediately after the diagnosis of HIV offers many possible benefits, including earlier engagement in care and earlier HIV suppression, which may result in personal and public health benefits. 
Based on randomized clinical trials done in developing-world settings, the World Health Organization now recommends starting ART within 7 days of HIV diagnosis.
Darunavir/Cobicistat/FTC/TAF Single-Pill Combination in Treatment-Experienced Patients: EMERALD Study
The EMERALD Study is a Phase III, open-label, noninferiority study in which 1,141 patients with stable HIV suppression on a regimen comprising a boosted protease inhibitor plus TDF/FTC were
Naltrexone Improves Virologic Suppression
Release from correctional settings is a high-stakes time for persons with HIV, as it is for those with other health issues. People with substance use disorders often relapse, and those with HIV often
Ibalizumab Approved for Persons with Multidrug Resistant HIV
Ibalizumab (TNX-355), an entry inhibitor, has been approved by the FDA for use in persons with an extensive ARV treatment history and multidrug resistant HIV who are on a failing ARV regimen.