Improving viral suppression in HIV patients with poor medication adherence using long-acting treatments

A Phase 3 Study Comparing Clinical Outcomes in People Living With HIV (PLHIV) With Suboptimal Adherence Treated With Injectable Long-acting Antiretrovirals Versus Oral Antiretrovirals

PHASE3 · Chang Gung Memorial Hospital · NCT06507059

This study is testing if switching to long-acting HIV medications can help people who have trouble sticking to their treatment better control the virus.

Quick facts

PhasePHASE3
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment40 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorChang Gung Memorial Hospital (other)
Locations4 sites (Keelung and 3 other locations)
Trial IDNCT06507059 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates whether long-acting antiretrovirals can enhance viral suppression in individuals living with HIV who have struggled with medication adherence. It is an open-label, multi-center, randomized trial involving 40 adult participants diagnosed with HIV for at least 12 months and exhibiting suboptimal viral suppression. Participants will be randomly assigned to either switch to long-acting treatment immediately or after 24 weeks, with their viral loads monitored over the course of the study. Psychological assessments related to self-stigma and depression will also be conducted at various points during the trial.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older living with HIV for at least 12 months and experiencing suboptimal viral suppression despite antiretroviral treatment.

Not a fit: Patients with established resistance to cabotegravir or rilpivirine will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve viral suppression rates in patients with HIV who have difficulty adhering to traditional oral medication regimens.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise in using long-acting antiretrovirals for improving adherence and viral suppression, indicating that this approach is not entirely novel but still holds significant potential.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Willing to sign the written informed consent form for male and female participants aged 18 and above.
* At the time of enrollment, diagnosed with HIV infection for a minimum of 12 months.
* Under oral antiretroviral treatment (ART), which can be irregular or interrupted, with the most recent viral load ≥ 200 copies/mL.
* Body weight ≥ 35Kg.
* Willing to maintain contact with the research team throughout the study (provide accurate and reachable phone numbers, social accounts like Line, or reliable contact information of family or friends).
* Willing to receive gluteal (buttocks) drug injections.
* Willing to transition back to oral medication or follow the recommended treatment prescription according to the then-current national treatment guidelines after discontinuation of long-acting injectable drugs.

Exclusion Criteria:

* For those currently undergoing oral antiretroviral therapy, who have started or restarted oral ART for less than six consecutive months before screening.
* Previously undergone HIV drug resistance testing and known to have resistance mutations to either cabotegravir or rilpivirine.
* Unable to commit to maintaining contact with the research team throughout the study.
* Individuals who cannot receive treatment for hepatitis B during the period of transitioning to long-acting injections, if they are hepatitis B carriers.
* Individuals with buttock fillers.
* Women who are planning to become pregnant, pregnant, or currently breastfeeding.

Where this trial is running

Keelung and 3 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: HIV-1-infection, Non-Adherence, Medication, HIV-1, non-adherence

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.