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IntroductionIn contrast to the global trend showing a decline in new HIV infections, the number reported in the World Health Organization (WHO) region of Europe is increasing. Health systems are disparate, but even countries with free access to screening and treatment observe continuing high rates of new infections in key populations, notably men who have sex with men (MSM). Pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is only available in France. This commentary describes the European epidemics and healthcare settings where PrEP could be delivered, how need might be estimated for MSM and the residual barriers to access.DiscussionHealth systems and government commitment to HIV prevention and care, both financial and political, differ considerably between the countries that make up Europe. A common feature is that funds for prevention are a small fraction of funds for care. Although care is generally good, access is limited in the middle‐income countries of Eastern Europe and central Asia, and only 19% of people living with HIV received antiretroviral therapy in 2014. It is challenging to motivate governments or civil society to implement PrEP in the context of this unmet treatment need, which is driven by limited national health budgets and diminishing assistance from foreign aid. The high‐income countries of Western Europe have hesitated to embrace PrEP for different reasons, initially due to key gaps in the evidence. Now that PrEP has been shown to be highly effective in European MSM in two randomized controlled trials, it is clear that the major barrier is the cost of the drug which is still on patent, although inadequate health systems and diminishing investment in civil society are also key challenges to overcome.ConclusionsThe momentum to implement PrEP in European countries is increasing and provides a welcome opportunity to expand and improve clinical services and civil society support focused on HIV and related infections including other sexually transmitted and blood‐borne infections.

AbstractIntroductionWhile bio‐behavioural interventions (BIs) for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV prevention have shown their effectiveness (e.g. treatment for syphilis, HPV vaccination or pre‐exposure prophylaxis [PrEP]), they have also aroused major concerns regarding behavioural changes that could counteract their benefit. Risk compensation (RC) fears concerning BIs in the HIV/STIs prevention field are intimately linked to representations, judgements and social control on sexual behaviour. With an increasing number of PrEP studies describing a rise in STIs due to RC, this paper argues for a shift away from the focus on RC and proposes a more constructive approach to respond to the needs of people living with HIV and populations most at risk.DiscussionThe concept of RC, stemming from road safety and derived from economic theory, relies on rational theoretical models of human behaviour. Although widely applied in several contexts its use has been reasonably questioned. Major methodological issues regarding RC have been raised within HIV/AIDS literature. Although behavioural changes (e.g. condomless sex and number of sexual partners) are often erroneously assimilated with RC, there is no evidence that behavioural changes have undermined the effectiveness of previous and current BIs. Still, PrEP has not escaped RC concerns. Increases in condomless sex within the context of growing uptake of PrEP signals a continued need for integrated and innovative HIV and STI prevention strategies and a comprehensive sexual health approach. Routine HIV/STI testing, peer‐led counselling, and identification of sexual health needs within the PrEP model of care could become a gold standard in the sexual health field for all populations.ConclusionsRC remains a frequent argument against the availability and provision of prevention methods for vulnerable populations. Individuals should be able to benefit from the full panel of BIs options available, to find and adapt methods according to their needs. Current, past and future PrEP users, with other stakeholders, may provide valuable insight into innovative solutions and programmes to control HIV and other STIs.

IntroductionAs HIV‐infected patients get older more non‐AIDS‐related malignancies are to be seen. Cancer now represents almost one third of all causes of deaths among HIV‐infected patients [1]. Albeit bladder cancer is one of the most common malignancy worldwide [2], only 13 cases of bladder cancer in HIV‐infected patients have been reported in the literature so far [3].Materials and MethodsWe conducted a monocentric study in our hospital. We selected all patients who were previously admitted (from 1998 to 2013) in our hospital with diagnoses of HIV and bladder cancer. The objective was to assess the prevalence and characteristics of bladder cancers in HIV‐infected patients in our hospital.ResultsBased on our administrative HIV database (6353 patients), we found 15 patients (0.2%) with a bladder cancer. Patients' characteristics are presented in Table 1. Patients were mostly men and heavy smokers. Their median nadir CD4 cell count was below 200 and most had a diagnosis of AIDS. A median time of 14 years was observed in those patients, between the diagnosis of HIV‐infection and the occurrence of bladder cancer, although in patients much younger (median age 56) than those developing bladder cancer without HIV infection (71.1 years) [4]. Haematuria was the most frequent diagnosis circumstance in HIV‐infected patients who had relatively preserved immune function on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Histopathology showed relatively advanced cancers at diagnosis with a high percentage of non transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) tumor and of TCC with squamous differentiation, suggesting a potential role for human papilloma virus (HPV) co‐infection. Death rate was high in this population.ConclusionsBladder cancers in HIV‐infected patients remain rare but occur in relatively young HIV‐infected patients with a low CD4 nadir, presenting with haematuria, most of them being smokers, and have aggressive pathological features that are associated with severe outcomes.

IntroductionRilpivirine (RPV) is a new once‐daily, non‐nucleoside, reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI). In treatment‐naïve patients, RPV has shown non‐inferior antiviral activity to efavirenz but data in treatment‐experienced patients are more limited. We assessed the efficacy and safety of RPV in treatment‐experienced patients switching to a RPV‐based regimen.MethodsBetween September 2012 and June 2013, all antiretroviral therapy (ART) experienced HIV‐1 infected patients with a plasma HIV‐RNA level <50 cp/mL, and switching to a RPV‐based regimen, were enrolled in this prospective monocentric cohort study. Clinical and laboratory data were collected every 3 months to assess safety and efficacy. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with virologic success (HIV‐RNA load <50 cp/mL) at 12 months using the FDA snapshot algorithm.ResultsA total of 281 patients (76% male, median age: 47 years, 56% MSM) were enrolled in this study. Median lymphocyte CD4 count at baseline was 640/mm3. Patients have received ART for a median of 7 years and viral replication was fully suppressed for a median of 3 years. Before the switch, 39% patients were treated with NNRTI, 52% with protease inhibitor and 7% with integrase inhibitor‐based regimens. Reasons for switch were simplification (176 cases), adverse events (AEs) (93 cases) and others (12 cases). At month 12 (database frozen on June 2014) in the snapshot analysis, 56% of patients met virologic success, 5% experienced virologic failure (n=14) and 39% had no data in the window period. In the LOCF analysis (using data from the previous available visit before month 12), 89% patients were suppressed, 5% had virologic failure and 6% had no data. Genotypic resistance analysis was performed in 7/14 patients at the time of virologic failure (3 of whom had previous NRTI/NNRTI resistance‐associated mutations (RAMs)), and new NNRTI and NRTI RAMs emerged in 4 patients. RPV‐based regimen was generally well tolerated and only 6% of patients discontinued treatment for AEs. Grade 2–4 treatment‐related AEs occurred in 39 patients: 6 had rashes, 13 neuropsychiatric symptoms, 10 GI symptoms, 10 biological abnormalities. At month 12, significant changes from baseline were seen for total and LDL cholesterol (−0.5 and −0.28 mmol/L, respectively, p<0.05 for both), and plasma creatinine (+5.8 µmol/L, p<10–4).ConclusionsIn patients fully suppressed on ART, switching to a RPV‐based regimen in clinical practice was well tolerated and associated with few virologic failures.

AbstractIntroductionIn France, oral pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention has been publicly available since 2016, mainly targeting at men who have sex with men (MSM). Reliable and robust estimations of the actual PrEP uptake among MSM on a localized level can provide additional insights to identify and better reach marginalized MSM within current HIV prevention service provision. This study used national pharmaco‐epidemiology surveillance data and regional MSM population estimations to model the spatio‐temporal distribution of PrEP uptake among MSM in France 2016–2021 to identify marginalized MSM at risk for HIV and increase their PrEP uptake.MethodsWe first applied Bayesian spatial analyses with survey‐surveillance‐based HIV incidence data as a spatial proxy to estimate the size of (1) regional HIV‐negative MSM populations and (2) MSM who could be eligible for PrEP use according to French PrEP guidelines. We then applied Bayesian spatio‐temporal ecological regression modelling to estimate the regional prevalence and relative probability of the overall‐ and new‐PrEP uptake from 2016 to 2021 across France.ResultsHIV‐negative and PrEP‐eligible MSM populations vary regionally across France. Île‐de‐France was estimated to have the highest MSM density compared to other French regions. According to the final spatio‐temporal model, the relative probability of overall PrEP uptake was heterogeneous across France but remained stable over time. Urban areas have higher‐than‐average probabilities of PrEP uptake. The prevalence of PrEP use increased steadily (ranging from 8.8% [95% credible interval 8.5%;9.0%] in Nouvelle‐Aquitaine to 38.2% [36.5%;39.9%] in Centre‐Val‐de‐Loire in 2021).ConclusionsOur results show that using Bayesian spatial analysis as a novel methodology to estimate the localized HIV‐negative MSM population is feasible and applicable. Spatio‐temporal models showed that despite the increasing prevalence of PrEP use in all regions, geographical disparities and inequalities of PrEP uptake continued to exist over time. We identified regions that would benefit from greater tailoring and delivery efforts. Based on our findings, public health policies and HIV prevention strategies could be adjusted to better combat HIV infections and to accelerate ending the HIV epidemic.

IntroductionIn the SMART trial, baseline plasma hsCRP, IL6 and D‐dimer levels were strongly correlated to all‐cause mortality. A case‐control study has shown an increase of IL‐6 and D‐dimer levels after one month of antiretroviral therapy (ART) interruption, which was correlated to viral load. Restarting ART was associated to a decrease in D‐dimer but not IL‐6 or hsCRP levels. We assessed biomarkers levels up to 96 weeks in ART‐experienced adults with plasma HIV RNA levels <400 c/mL randomized in the ANRS 106 WINDOW trial to intermittent ART (IT: six cycles of eight weeks of ART interruption followed by eight weeks of ART) versus continuous treatment (CT).MethodsStored plasma for 160 participants (80 IT and 80 CT), matched by age, sex and CDC classification, were analyzed blinded for IL‐6, sCD‐14, hsCRP and D‐dimer levels at baseline, week 8 (IT group only), week 16 and week 96. Lower levels of detection for IL‐6, sCD14, hsCRP and D‐Dimer were 1.5 pg/mL, 250 ng/mL, 0.03 µg/mL and 0.21 µg/mL, respectively. The primary objective was to compare changes in IL‐6, hsCRP, sCD14 and D‐dimer plasma levels from baseline to week 8, 16 and 96 in the IT and CT arms. Biomarkers levels were log10 transformed prior to analysis.ResultsAt baseline, patients were mostly men (86%), with a median age of 40 years, a CD4+ T‐cell count of 768/mm3, have received a median of 4.7 years of ART and 85% had HIV RNA <50 c/mL. Proportion of patients with plasma HIV RNA levels<400 c/mL were 6% and 99%, 81% and 97%, 86% and 92% at weeks 8, 16 and 96 in the IT and CT arms, respectively. Plasma biomarkers levels are shown in the Table 1.Compared to baseline, D‐dimer levels significantly increased 8 weeks after ART interruption in the IT arm (+23% fold change, 95% CI +9% to +39%) but reverted to baseline levels at week 16 and remained unchanged at week 96. There was no significant change from baseline in the other biomarker levels in the IT arm. Similarly, no significant change from baseline in biomarker levels was seen in the CT arm up to 96 weeks.ConclusionCoagulation and inflammatory biomarkers levels remained stable over 96 weeks in well‐suppressed HIV‐infected patient on ART. Following ART interruption there was a significant increase in D‐dimer but not in inflammatory biomarkers levels. This increase was reversed upon reintroduction of ART. These data suggest that ART interruption increases coagulation rather than inflammatory biomarkers.

IntroductionDolutegravir (DTG) 50 mg once daily was superior to darunavir/ritonavir (DRV/r) 800 mg/100 mg once daily through Week 48, with 90% vs. 83% of participants achieving HIV RNA 50 c/mL (p=0.025) [1]. We present data through Week 96.Material and MethodsFLAMINGO is a multicentre, randomized, open‐label, Phase IIIb non‐inferiority study, in which HIV‐1‐positive ART‐naïve adults with HIV‐1 RNA≥1000 c/mL and no evidence of viral resistance were randomized 1:1 to receive DTG or DRV/r, with investigator‐selected backbone NRTIs (TDF/FTC or ABC/3TC). Participants were stratified by screening HIV‐1 RNA (≤100K c/mL) and NRTI backbone.ResultsA total of 484 adults were randomized and treated; 25% had baseline HIV RNA 100K c/mL. At Week 96, the proportion of participants with HIV RNA 50 c/mL was 80% in the DTG arm vs. 68% in the DRV/r arm (adjusted difference 12.4%; 95% CI 4.7, 20.2%; p=0.002). Secondary analyses supported primary results: per‐protocol [(DTG 83% vs. DRV/r 70%), 95% CI 12.9 (5.3, 20.6)] and treatment‐related discontinuation = failure [(98% vs. 95%), 95% CI 3.2 (−0.3, 6.7)]. Overall virologic non‐response (DTG 8%; DRV/r 12%) and non‐response due to other reasons (DTG 12%; DRV/r 21%) occurred less frequently on DTG. As at Week 48, the difference between arms was most pronounced in participants with high baseline viral load (82% vs. 52% response through Week 96) and in the TDF/FTC stratum (79% vs. 64%); consistent responses were seen in the ABC/3TC stratum (82% vs. 75%). Six participants (DTG 2, none post‐Week 48; DRV/r 4, two post‐Week 48) experienced protocol‐defined virologic failure (PDVF; confirmed viral load 200 c/mL on or after Week 24); none had treatment‐emergent resistance to study drugs. Most frequent drug‐related adverse events (AEs) were diarrhoea, nausea and headache, with diarrhoea significantly more common on DRV/r (24%) than DTG (10%). Significantly more participants had Grade 2 fasting LDL toxicities on DRV/r (22%) vs. DTG (7%), p<0.001; mean changes in creatinine for DTG (~0.18 mg/dL) observed at Week 2 were stable through Week 96.ConclusionsOnce‐daily DTG was superior to once‐daily DRV/r in treatment‐naïve HIV‐1‐positive individuals, with no evidence of emergent resistance to DTG in virologic failure and relatively similar safety profiles for DTG and DRV/r through 96 Weeks.

Bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have been increasing over the past 2 decades in gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men. With the widespread use of early human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment, which virtually eliminates transmission risk, and the availability of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis, there have been attitudinal changes regarding HIV infection with resultant increases in sexual contact and declines in condom use. Doxycycline is used for primary prophylaxis in a number of infectious diseases. We conducted a state-of-the-art review to examine the current state of research, knowledge gaps, and challenges around the use of doxycycline prophylaxis to prevent syphilis and other STIs. International academic and government experts met in March 2019 to frame the initial inquiry, which was supplemented by focused literature searches. Two small short-term randomized controlled trials examining doxycycline prophylaxis found high efficacy. Five additional clinical studies are underway or in development. Studies differed in design, population, outcomes, and safety measures. Doxycycline prophylaxis for bacterial STIs shows promise. Better and more robust data are needed on efficacy; target population; community acceptability; behavioral risk compensation; doxycycline dose, regimen, and formulation; long-term safety; antimicrobial resistance; cost-effectiveness; and risk–benefit.

AbstractIntroductionIn a context of declining condom use and high sexually transmitted infection (STI) incidence, the diffusion of "treatment as prevention" (Tasp) and more recently pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) may have changed the sexual behaviour of newly diagnosed men who have sex with men (MSM) with HIV.MethodsSix hundred and nine MSM were enrolled and followed annually between 2014 and 2021 in the ANRS PRIMO Cohort (ClinicalTrials.gov:NCT03148964) from the time of HIV seroconversion. We studied changes over calendar time in sexual behaviour before and after HIV diagnosis. Factors associated with inconsistent condom use (ICU) after HIV diagnosis, PrEP use by partner(s) and bacterial STI acquisition were studied in random‐effects models.ResultsIn the 6 months preceding HIV diagnosis, the number of sexual partners decreased from a median of 10 (IQR: 4−19) in 2014 to 6 (3−11) in 2021. After HIV diagnosis, ICU increased from 57.1% (16/28) of visits in 2014 up to 84.2% (229/272) in 2020−2021. Up to 25% (63/229) of MSM with HIV in recent years reported the use of PrEP by their partner(s) as the reason for ICU; these MSM were less frequently in a stable relationship, had a higher number of sexual partners and higher education level than those who did not report the use of PrEP by their partner(s). STI incidence after HIV diagnosis increased between 2014 and 2016 and remained high afterwards. STI risk was no longer associated with PrEP use by partners after adjustment for the number of partners and calendar period. ICU, age below 35 years, not being in a stable relationship, higher number of sexual partners were independently associated with an increased risk of STI.ConclusionsImplementation of TasP and more recently PrEP has led to major changes in the sexual behaviour of MSM with HIV. ICU has become overwhelmingly prevalent, PrEP use by the partner increasingly being the reported reason for ICU, behind TasP, which remains the main reason. Characteristics of MSM at the time of diagnosis of HIV have changed, with fewer number of sexual partners today than in 2014, which must lead to broaden the indications for PrEP prescription. STIs incidence remains high in MSM with HIV and requires improvements in screening and prevention methods such as pre‐ or post‐exposition antibiotics or vaccines.

AbstractIntroductionDaily pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine (TDF/FTC) is associated with a small but statistically significant decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). We assessed the renal safety of on‐demand PrEP with TDF/FTC in HIV‐1 uninfected men.MethodsWe used data from the randomized double‐blind placebo‐controlled ANRS‐IPERGAY trial and its open‐label extension conducted between February 2012 and June 2016 among HIV‐uninfected MSM starting on‐demand PrEP. Using linear mixed model, we evaluated the mean eGFR decline from baseline over time and determined risks factors associated with eGFR decline during the study.ResultsDuring the blind phase, with a median follow‐up of 9.4 months, the mean decline slope of eGFR from baseline was −0.88 and −1.53 mL/min/1.73 m2 per year in the placebo (n = 201) and the TDF/FTC group (n = 198) respectively, with a slope difference of 0.65 mL/min/1.73 m2 per year (p = 0.27). Including both phases, 389 participants started on‐demand TDF/FTC with a median follow‐up of 19.2 months and a mean decline of eGFR from baseline of −1.14 mL/min/1.73 m2 per year (p < 0.001). The slope of eGFR reduction was not significantly different in participants with baseline eGFR ≤ 90 mL/min/1.73 m2 (p = 0.44), age >40 years (p = 0.24) or hypertension (p = 0.21). There was a dose‐response relationship between recent tenofovir exposure and lower eGFR when considering the number of pills taken in the two months prior the visit (eGFR difference of −0.88 mL/min/1.73 m2 between >15 pills/month vs. ≤15 pills/month, p < 0.01) or plasma tenofovir concentrations at the visit (eGFR difference compared to ≤2 ng/mL: >2 to ≤10ng/mL: −0.98 mL/min/1.73 m2, >10 to ≤40ng/mL: −1.28 mL/min/1.73 m2, >40 ng/mL: −1.82 mL/min/1.73 m2, p < 0.001). Three participants discontinued TDF/FTC for eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 during the OLE phase. No case of Fanconi syndrome was reported.ConclusionsThe renal safety of on‐demand PrEP with TDF/FTC was good. The overall reduction and intermittent exposure to TDF/FTC may explain this good renal safety.

Background Comparison of changes in body composition, adipokines and inflammatory markers after initial therapy with a nucleos(t)ide reverse transcriptase inhibitor (N(t)RTI)- sparing or containing regimen are scarce. Design Randomised Clinical Trial. Methods This is the body composition substudy of NEAT 001/ANRS 143, a randomised trial comparing darunavir/ritonavir (DRV/r) plus either raltegravir (RAL) or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/ emtricitabine (TDF/FTC) in 805 ART naïve HIV-infected adults. The primary endpoint was percentage change in limb fat at week 96. Secondary endpoints were associations among these changes and metabolic markers (IL-6, insulin, leptin, adiponectin, FGF-23). Results 126 subjects (61 DRV/r + RAL and 65 DRV/r + TDF/FTC) were included. The rate of change in BMI between groups for RAL versus TDF/FTC at week 96 was 1.5% per 48-week period (p = 0.015). The rate of change in limb fat mass, trunk fat mass, total body fat and total lean mass was for RAL versus TDF/FTC at week 96 was 2.5% (p = 0.38), 7.3% ((p = 0.021), 4.9% (p = 0.061) and 1.3% (p = 0.12) respectively. Baseline insulin and leptin levels were correlated with baseline limb fat and trunk fat mass [r = 0.31 (p = 0.0043)/r = 0.28 (p = 0.0011) for limb fat, and r = 0.63 (p<0.0001)/r = 0.50(p<0.0001) for trunk fat]. After adjustment, a 10% faster increase in leptin between baseline and week 48 was associated with a more rapid increase in limb fat at week 48 (0.5% per 48 weeks, p<0.001), total body fat mass (0.6% per 48 weeks, p<0.001), and trunk fat mass (0.3% per 48 weeks, p = 0.0026). Conclusions After week 96 a N(t)RTI sparing regimen of DRV/r + RAL produced a numerically greater percentage increase in body composition variables with only change in trunk fat mass and BMI being significant ; NEAT is a project funded to the Instituto Superiori di Sanita´-Rome, by the European Union under the Sixth Framework Programme, project number LSHP-CT-2006-037570. This analysis was also partially funded by a grant from the Ministerio de Sanidad y Asuntos Sociales de España (2009/TRA-054). The trial was also supported by Gilead Sciences, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, and Merck Laboratories, and the French National Institute for Health and Medical Research-France Recherche Nord&Sud SIDA-HIV He´patites (Inserm-ANRS) is the sponsor and a funder of the trial