Use of Truvada for HIV Prevention Associated with Decline in New US Diagnoses

Use of Truvada (emtricitabine 200 mg and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate 300 mg) for HIV prevention was associated with a significant decline in new diagnoses across the United States, according to new data presented at the International AIDS Conference.

Gilead Sciences announced the new results based on a retrospective nationwide analysis on the impact of once-daily oral Truvada for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use.

Truvada for PrEP was approved by the FDA in 2012 to be used in combination with safer sex practices to reduce the risk of sexually acquired HIV-1 in at-risk adults and adolescents weighing at least 35 kg.

For the analysis, researchers used state-level data based on National HIV Surveillance System and national pharmacy data on HIV diagnoses and prevalence of use of Truvada for PrEP from 2012 to 2016.

Related Coverage: FDA OKs First Darunavir-Based Single-Tablet Treatment Regimen for HIV

According to the data, states with the highest utilization of Truvada for PrEP had significant declines in the average number of HIV diagnoses, whereas there was an average increase for the states with the lowest use. Prevalence of Truvada for PrEP use increased across all states and Washington, DC, from 7.0 to 68.5 per 1000 people at highest risk of HIV acquisition. Additionally, the rate of new HIV diagnoses decreased significantly from 15.7 to 14.5 per 100,000 people among the general population.

To evaluate the impact of Truvada for PrEP independent from the effect of treatment as prevention, the researchers analyzed data from a subset of 38 states and Washington, DC, with viral suppression data among individuals living with HIV. After controlling for state-level viral suppression, the rate of Truvada for PrEP uptake remained significantly associated with a decline in new infections.

“These data further validate the potential for significant public health impacts of Truvada for PrEP to help reduce HIV transmission in the US,” lead study author Patrick Sullivan, professor of epidemiology at Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, said in a press release. “By documenting significant declines in average new cases of HIV in states where Truvada for PrEP has been most widely adopted, our analysis emphasizes the importance of improving access to HIV screening and a full range of prevention tools, including PrEP, in US states.”

Reference

Gilead Announces New Data on the Impact of Truvada® (Emtricitabine and Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate) for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) on the Number of HIV Diagnoses in the United States [news release]. Gilead’s website. http://www.gilead.com/news/press-releases/2018/7/gilead-announces-new-data-on-the-impact-of-truvada-emtricitabine-and-tenofovir-disoproxil-fumarate-for-preexposure-prophylaxis-prep-on-the-number-of-hiv-diagnoses-in-the-united-states. Accessed July 24, 2018.