WHO: Using Injectable Lenacapavir as PreP to Prevent HIV Infection

WHO praises the positive results of the PURPOSE-2 trial on long-acting injectable lenacapavir (LEN) for HIV prevention. An interim analysis revealed LEN’s high effectiveness in preventing HIV, with a 96% reduction in the risk of acquiring the virus among participants. LEN, administered twice yearly via subcutaneous injection, was highly effective in preventing HIV across various gender identities. The trial also showed LEN to be 89% more effective than daily oral TDF/FTC in preventing HIV acquisition, with no significant safety concerns. These results, combined with those from the PURPOSE-1 trial, demonstrate LEN’s potential to revolutionize global HIV prevention, especially for individuals struggling with daily oral PrEP adherence.

WHO Steps

The WHO is awaiting the full publication of findings from the PURPOSE 2 trial, preparing to convene a group to develop guidelines for the potential use of LEN for HIV prevention. They are working with partners to create an environment for LEN scale-up, focusing on affordability, supply, and access. LEN, if approved, would join other options like oral PrEP, the dapivirine ring, and long-acting cabotegravir in the fight against HIV.

What is PURPOSE 2?

The enrollment of 3267 participants in the PURPOSE 2 trial included cisgender men, transgender men, transgender women, and gender non-binary individuals aged 16 and above who engage in sexual activity with partners assigned male at birth. The trial compared twice-yearly subcutaneous injections of LEN with daily oral TDF/FTC, without a placebo group, across 88 sites in Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Peru, South Africa, Thailand, and the United States.

For more details, please read the article at https://www.who.int/news/item/26-09-2024-long-acting-injectable-lenacapavir-continues-to-show-promising-results-for-hiv-prevention