Is Cabotegravir antiviral or preventive?

Cabotegravir (Cabotegravir) is an antiretroviral drug that belongs to the class of integrase inhibitors. Its main function is to treat HIV infection and inhibit the replication and reproduction of HIV virus, thereby reducing the amount of virus in the host body and delaying the progression of HIV disease. In addition, in recent years, cabotegravir has also been studied for long-acting prevention of HIV transmission, especially in the form of long-acting injections as preventive antiretroviral treatment (Pre-exposure Prophylaxis, PrEP), thereby reducing the risk of HIV infection in high-risk groups.

1.The antiretroviral therapeutic effects of cabotegravir:

Cabotegravir is an integrase inhibitor, and its antiviral effect is achieved by inhibiting the integrase activity ofHIV virus. HIVAfter the virus infects a host cell, it releases its own RNA and enzymes into the host cell. Integrase is a key enzyme of the HIV virus. It is responsible for transcribing the virus's RNA into DNA and integrating this DNA into the genome of the host cell, so that the virus can replicate and multiply within the host cell. Cabotegravir can inhibit the activity of integrase and prevent the viral DNA integration process, thereby effectively inhibiting the replication and reproduction of HIV viruses and reducing the number of viruses in the host body.

In antiretroviral therapy (Antiretroviral Therapy, ART), cabotegravir is often used as part of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). cART uses two or more different types of antiretroviral drugs at the same time to slow down the replication of HIV virus, reduce viral load, improve immune function, and delay the progression of HIV disease. Combination therapy can effectively control viral replication and reduce the amount of virus in the body, thereby maintaining the patient's immune function and slowing down HIVHIVdisease progression and improve patients' quality of life.

2.The preventive antiretroviral treatment effect of cabotegravir:

In addition to treatingHIV infection, cabotegravir has also been studied to preventHIV transmission, especially in high-risk groups with long-acting prophylaxis (Long-Acting Pre-exposure Prophylaxis, LAPR). Preventive antiretroviral therapy is a preventive measure used to reduce the risk of HIV infection in high-risk groups.

Cabotegravir used in LAPR is given as a long-acting injection. Long-acting injection of cabotegravir can be continuously released in the body, providing sustained antiviral effects, thereby reducing the risk of HIV infection in high-risk groups. The goal of prophylactic antiretroviral therapy is to establish a durable state of viral suppression in high-risk populations, thereby reducing the risk of infection.

Preventive antiretroviral therapy does not completely eliminate the risk of HIV infection and provides effective prevention only when used correctly and adhered to. Therefore, preventive antiretroviral therapy requires strict management and supervision to ensure that patients receive their drug injections on time and are regularly evaluated and monitored.

Prophylactic antiretroviral therapy is generally indicated for the following high-risk groups:

Sex partners at high risk of infection: For HIV negative sex partners of HIVpositive patients, preventive antiretroviral therapy can help reduce the risk of infection.

Intravenous drug users: Intravenous drug users are vulnerable to the threat ofHIV transmission because they share syringes and needles. Preventive antiretroviral treatment can help reduce the risk of infection.

Sex workers: People who engage in sexual activities in the sex work industry are at risk of infection due to changes in sexual partners and unsafe sex practicesHIVrisk. Preventive antiretroviral treatment can help reduce the risk of infection.

High-risk groups who do not use safe sex measures: including sexual partners who do not use condoms, homosexuals who do not practice safe sex, etc.

Long-acting injectable forms of prophylactic antiretroviral therapy, such as long-acting prophylactic antiretroviral therapy (LAPR), have better compliance than oral medications because patients do not need to take the drug every day, but rather maintain drug concentrations through regular injections. This injection method can extend the duration of the drug, reduce the risk of missing doses, and improve the preventive effect. However, long-acting injections of cabotegravir may also cause side effects such as injection site reactions, which need to be monitored and managed under the guidance of a doctor.

Although preventive antiretroviral treatment is very effective in reducing the risk of HIV infection, not all high-risk groups are suitable for this treatment. Doctors need to comprehensively consider the patient's individual situation, including sexual behavior risks, drug tolerance, health status and other factors, to determine whether preventive antiretroviral treatment is suitable.

In general, cabotegravir can be used as an antiretroviral therapy to treat HIV infection, or as a preventive antiretroviral treatment to reduce the risk of HIV infection in high-risk groups. Regardless of the condition for which it is used, cabotegravir needs to be used correctly and under the supervision of a physician to ensure optimal treatment and reduce the risk of adverse reactions.

Cabotegravir is not currently on the market in China, so patients cannot purchase it domestically and need to purchase cabotegravir through overseas channels. Foreign cabotegravir only has original drugs, mainly European original drugs, and the price is very high, about 16,000 yuan.