Potential impact and cost-effectiveness of long-acting injectable lenacapavir plus cabotegravir as HIV treatment in Africa

Abstract Although viral suppression is attained for most adults living with diagnosed HIV in East, Central, Southern and West Africa (ECSWA), challenges remain with sustained adherence to daily oral pill taking for some in the population. Here, we evaluate the potential effectiveness and cost-effect...

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Main Authors: Andrew Phillips, Jennifer Smith, Loveleen Bansi-Matharu, Kenly Sikwese, Cissy Kityo, Charles Flexner, Marco Vitoria, Nathan Ford, Meg Doherty, Zack Panos, David Ripin, Matthew Hickey, Diane Havlir, Monica Gandhi, Michael Reid, Paul Revill
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-60752-y
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author Andrew Phillips
Jennifer Smith
Loveleen Bansi-Matharu
Kenly Sikwese
Cissy Kityo
Charles Flexner
Marco Vitoria
Nathan Ford
Meg Doherty
Zack Panos
David Ripin
Matthew Hickey
Diane Havlir
Monica Gandhi
Michael Reid
Paul Revill
author_facet Andrew Phillips
Jennifer Smith
Loveleen Bansi-Matharu
Kenly Sikwese
Cissy Kityo
Charles Flexner
Marco Vitoria
Nathan Ford
Meg Doherty
Zack Panos
David Ripin
Matthew Hickey
Diane Havlir
Monica Gandhi
Michael Reid
Paul Revill
author_sort Andrew Phillips
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Although viral suppression is attained for most adults living with diagnosed HIV in East, Central, Southern and West Africa (ECSWA), challenges remain with sustained adherence to daily oral pill taking for some in the population. Here, we evaluate the potential effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of introduction of a new combination of long-acting injectable drugs of lenacapavir + cabotegravir to increase levels of sustained viral suppression. We find there is potential for a significant impact on HIV deaths and disability adjusted life years, including due to a decrease in mother to child transmission. If lenacapavir + cabotegravir can be sourced at a cost of around $ 80 per year or less, our analysis suggests there is potential for a policy to introduce it to be cost-effective in settings in ECSWA. Recognising the limitations of a modelling study, we suggest that implementation studies be conducted to confirm the viability of these approaches.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2041-1723
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publishDate 2025-07-01
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spelling doaj-art-117a2b207b7b4ae295cedc46d7df1cd42025-08-20T03:45:35ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-07-0116111310.1038/s41467-025-60752-yPotential impact and cost-effectiveness of long-acting injectable lenacapavir plus cabotegravir as HIV treatment in AfricaAndrew Phillips0Jennifer Smith1Loveleen Bansi-Matharu2Kenly Sikwese3Cissy Kityo4Charles Flexner5Marco Vitoria6Nathan Ford7Meg Doherty8Zack Panos9David Ripin10Matthew Hickey11Diane Havlir12Monica Gandhi13Michael Reid14Paul Revill15Institute for Global Health, University College LondonInstitute for Global Health, University College LondonInstitute for Global Health, University College LondonAfroCABJoint Clinical Research CentreJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineDepartment of Global HIV, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections Programmes, WHODepartment of Global HIV, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections Programmes, WHODepartment of Global HIV, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections Programmes, WHOChildren’s Investment Fund FoundationClinton Health Access InitiativeUniversity of California San FranciscoUniversity of California San FranciscoUniversity of California San FranciscoUniversity of California San FranciscoUniversity of YorkAbstract Although viral suppression is attained for most adults living with diagnosed HIV in East, Central, Southern and West Africa (ECSWA), challenges remain with sustained adherence to daily oral pill taking for some in the population. Here, we evaluate the potential effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of introduction of a new combination of long-acting injectable drugs of lenacapavir + cabotegravir to increase levels of sustained viral suppression. We find there is potential for a significant impact on HIV deaths and disability adjusted life years, including due to a decrease in mother to child transmission. If lenacapavir + cabotegravir can be sourced at a cost of around $ 80 per year or less, our analysis suggests there is potential for a policy to introduce it to be cost-effective in settings in ECSWA. Recognising the limitations of a modelling study, we suggest that implementation studies be conducted to confirm the viability of these approaches.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-60752-y
spellingShingle Andrew Phillips
Jennifer Smith
Loveleen Bansi-Matharu
Kenly Sikwese
Cissy Kityo
Charles Flexner
Marco Vitoria
Nathan Ford
Meg Doherty
Zack Panos
David Ripin
Matthew Hickey
Diane Havlir
Monica Gandhi
Michael Reid
Paul Revill
Potential impact and cost-effectiveness of long-acting injectable lenacapavir plus cabotegravir as HIV treatment in Africa
Nature Communications
title Potential impact and cost-effectiveness of long-acting injectable lenacapavir plus cabotegravir as HIV treatment in Africa
title_full Potential impact and cost-effectiveness of long-acting injectable lenacapavir plus cabotegravir as HIV treatment in Africa
title_fullStr Potential impact and cost-effectiveness of long-acting injectable lenacapavir plus cabotegravir as HIV treatment in Africa
title_full_unstemmed Potential impact and cost-effectiveness of long-acting injectable lenacapavir plus cabotegravir as HIV treatment in Africa
title_short Potential impact and cost-effectiveness of long-acting injectable lenacapavir plus cabotegravir as HIV treatment in Africa
title_sort potential impact and cost effectiveness of long acting injectable lenacapavir plus cabotegravir as hiv treatment in africa
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-60752-y
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