Risk of HIV infection reduced by 100% with long-acting drug

At the 2025 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) in San Francisco, a ‘long-acting’ HIV prevention and treatment drug was presented. The therapy, which consists of an intramuscular injection of Cabotegravir Rilpivirine administered every two months, has demonstrated virological success rates greater than 95%, according to the 96-week ‘Cares’ study conducted on young African women. The results presented at CROI, from both controlled studies and real-world evidence experiences, confirm the efficacy and safety of the product in different settings and populations. In addition to improving adherence while maintaining efficacy, long-acting therapy is crucial in reducing the stigma associated with HIV infection. Research has consistently demonstrated the remarkable persistence of long-acting medications, both in treatment and in the context of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). This development represents a paradigm shift in the therapeutic approach for patients, contrasting with conventional antiretroviral therapies that rely on daily oral drug administration. According to specialists, the potential of this therapeutic approach lies in reaching populations where adherence poses a greater challenge, such as women, the homeless, transgender individuals, migrants, and sex workers. The Italian context is characterised by limited access to ‘long-lasting’ therapies, with availability in only 10% of the best-equipped therapeutic centres, and remaining marginal in many others. Italy currently has 140,000 patients receiving treatment for HIV, with over 2,000 new cases of infection reported each year.