Rapid start with bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (B/F/TAF) as initial treatment in people with human immunodeficiency virus‐1 (HIV‐1): A systematic literature review of clinical and patient‐reported outcomes

Abstract Background Treatment guidelines recommend rapid antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation among eligible people with HIV to improve treatment outcomes and reduce HIV transmission. Bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (B/F/TAF), an integrase strand transfer inhibitor‐based single‐tablet regimen, is recommended for rapid start in US and European guidelines. This systematic literature review synthesized evidence on the efficacy, safety and effect on patient‐reported outcomes (PROs) of B/F/TAF rapid start among newly diagnosed people with HIV. Methods MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases were searched in January 2024, supplemented by searches of conference proceedings and clinical trial records. English‐language interventional studies of B/F/TAF rapid start among ART‐naïve people with HIV reporting efficacy, safety or PROs were eligible. Study quality was assessed using York Centre for Reviews and Dissemination or Risk Of Bias In Non‐randomized Studies of Interventions checklists. Results were synthesized narratively. Results Across eight included studies, 745 people with HIV received B/F/TAF rapid start, 171 received rapid start comparators and 255 received non‐rapid start comparators. At Weeks 24 and 48, 80%–94% and 74%–96% of people with HIV treated with B/F/TAF rapid start achieved viral load <50 copies/mL, respectively. Treatment discontinuation due to adverse events was 0%–3%, and grade 3/4 adverse events occurred in 0%–3% of people with HIV receiving B/F/TAF rapid start. Rapid start improved engagement in care over traditional non‐rapid start approaches, and B/F/TAF rapid start reduced anxiety and improved quality of life among people with HIV. Limitations of the review included heterogeneous study definitions of “rapid start” and limited data availability. Conclusions B/F/TAF rapid start was efficacious, safe and associated with high engagement in care and improved PROs.