A retrospective observation of virologically suppressed people living with HIV by comparing switching to BIC/TAF/FTC with initial use BIC/TAF/FTC.

Background: The objective of this study was to observe retrospectively the clinical response of virologically suppressed people living with HIV (PLWH) by comparing switching to BIC/TAF/FTC with initial use BIC/TAF/FTC.

Methods: PLWH using BIC/TAF/FTC was divided into 'initial use' group and 'switching to' group. Immune response, metabolic parameters and renal function between the two groups were analysed.

Results: The CD4 cell counts was higher in post- treatment than pre- treatment in the 'switching to' group (416.54 ± 212.11 cells/mm vs. 243.72 ± 156.64 cells/mm,  < .001); however, significant differences were not observed in the 'initial use' group ( = .658). The effect of BIC/TAF/FTC on metabolism was not obvious. Serum creatinine (SCr) was improved in post-treatment than in pre-treatment in 'switching to' group (69.03 ± 18.78 vs. 77.52 ± 20.18,  < .001). Platelet count was lower in post-treatment than pre-treatment both in the 'initial use' group (175.81 ± 69.27 vs. 202.90 ± 66.56,  = .070) and in the 'switching to' group (177.04 ± 64.48 vs. 212.53 ± 63.43,  < .001).

Conclusions: 'Switching to' is superior to 'initial use' BIC/TAF/FTC in immune response among PLWH. The effect of BIC/TAF/FTC on metabolism is not obvious. BIC/TAF/FTC related thrombocytopenia needs to be further explored.