Real-World Experience with Long-Acting Injectable Cabotegravir/Rilpivirine in HIV Patients with Unsuppressed Viral Load

Abstract

Long-acting injectable cabotegravir/rilpivirine (CAB/RPV-LA) is currently approved as a maintenance therapy for people with HIV (PWH) who are virologically suppressed. However, growing real-world evidence highlights its potential role in more complex viremic populations traditionally considered ineligible. We present a case series of eight PWH treated at two tertiary centers in Italy, all of whom faced persistent viremia, adherence difficulties, malabsorption syndromes, or psychosocial barriers. Following the switch to CAB/RPV-LA, all patients, despite heterogeneous clinical profiles and baseline virological status, achieved and maintained virologic suppression, demonstrated improved adherence, and experienced no serious adverse events.