Regimen Switch to Dolutegravir + Rilpivirine From Current Antiretroviral Regimen in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Infected and Virologically Suppressed Adults (SWORD-2)

The aim of this study was to determine if virologically suppressed, human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infected adults on an antiretroviral regimen (including 2 nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors \[NRTIs\] plus a third agent) remain suppressed upon switching to a two-drug regimen with dolutegravir (DTG) + rilpivirine (RPV). The study primarily assessed the non-inferiority antiviral activity of switching to DTG + RPV once daily compared to the continuation of current antiretroviral regimen (CAR) up to Week 48 with a switch visit for eligible subjects in the CAR group to initiate DTG + RPV therapy at Week 52. CAR included 2 NRTIs plus 1 HIV-1 integrase inhibitor (INI), or 1 non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI), or 1 protease inhibitor (PI). The study included a 148-week open-label treatment phase, comprising of an Early Switch Phase (Day 1 to Week 52) and a Late Switch Phase (Week 52 to Week 148). The participants fulfilling the study eligibility criteria participated in the Early Switch Phase where they either switched from their CAR to DTG + RPV, or continued taking their CAR, until Week 52. At the end of Early Switch Phase, eligible participants proceeded to the Late Switch Phase where all participants in both DTG + RPV and CAR treatment groups received DTG + RPV therapy until Week 148. After Week 148, subjects could have been eligible to continue to receive DTG +RPV in the Continuation Phase.