GEMINI Study: SQV/r BID vs LPV/r BID, in combination with TDF/FTC

Walmsley S. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2009 Apr 1;50(4):367-74

Type of ARV Trial
Head-to-head comparative trials for first line ART since 2006
» PI vs PI
» SQV/r + FTC/TDF vs LPV/r + FTC/TDF
Drugs
LPV/r, SQV/r, FTC/TDF, TDF, FTC

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  • SQV/r BID was non inferior to LPV/r BID, in combination with TDF/FTC fdc
  • Virologic and immunologic responses were similar in both arms
  • Tolerability was similar in both arms
    • Gastrointestinal adverse events were more frequent with LPV/r
    • Lipid changes were not different between SQV/r and LPV/r except for triglycerides elevation, which was higher with LPV/r
  • Rate of virologic failure was low in both groups
    • 1 patient in the SQV/r group developed new major protease resistance mutations at virologic failure

Design :

Objective :

  • Non inferiority of SQV/r vs LPV/r at W48: % HIV RNA < 50 c/mL, ITT-Exposed, Missing = Failure (lower margin of the 1-sided 98% [equivalent to 2-sided 96%] CI for the difference = - 12%)

Baseline characteristics and patient disposition :

Response to treatment at week 48 :

Safety and tolerability: SQV/r vs LPV/r :

  • Low frequency of premature discontinuations for adverse events: 3% vs 7%
  • Most frequent reported adverse events of any grade were gastrointestinal disorders: 17% vs 27%
  • No discontinuation because of renal-related adverse events; 2 patients, in the LPV/r arm, had elevated plasma creatinine levels > 2 mg/dL attributed to TDF/FTC
  • Median changes at W48 in total, LDL- and HDL-cholesterol were not significantly different between treatment groups; elevation of triglycerides was significantly higher in the LPV/r arm