GS-1720 – a new integrase inhibitor taken once weekly

GS-1720 is a new integrase inhibitor being developed by Gilead Sciences. At this point, it is being studied in oral doses taken once weekly. The drug has been tested in people with and without HIV, but we will focus on the results in people with HIV. Participants with HIV had not previously taken integrase inhibitors and/or had not taken HIV treatment (antiretroviral therapy, ART) for at least 12 weeks.

Different doses of GS-1720 were tested—30 mg, 150 mg, 450 mg and 900 mg, given as one dose only once. There were seven people with HIV assigned per dose. Their average profile at the start of the study was as follows:

• age – 33 years
• 89% male, 11% female
• major ethno-racial groups: White – 32%; Black – 21%
• CD4+ count – 370 cells/mm³
• viral load – 79,000 copies/mL
• 82% of participants had never previously taken ART
• no participants had resistance to integrase inhibitors

Results

Overall, there was about a 2-log decrease (100-fold) in HIV viral load. So far, no resistance was reported to have developed after a single dose of the drug. This confirms that weekly dosing should be effective when given in combination with another drug.

Researchers did not provide details but noted that four participants experienced temporary nausea, headache or vomiting, which sometimes occurs with exposure to HIV treatment.

Further studies are planned for GS-1720 to be given in combination with another drug(s) as part of once-weekly dosing.

—Sean R. Hosein

REFERENCE:

Fichtenbaum CJ, Berhe M, Bordon J, et al. Antiviral Activity, Safety, and Pharmacokinetics of GS-1720: A Novel weekly oral integrase strand transfer inhibitor. Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections, March 3-6, 2024. Abstract 116.