The second generation integrase inhibitor dolutegravir has demonstrated good virological and immunological outcomes in antiretroviral-naive subjects, compared with efavirenz, (SPRING 1 study). As well, it is active against HIV strains resistant to first-generation inhibitors raltegravir and elvitegravir in heavily treatment-experienced patients (VIKING study).~Additionally, it was safe and well tolerated after two years of use. It is administered once daily with no need for boosting, no food requirements and has a long half-life. The easy posology and its pharmacokinetics, together with the antiviral potency, make this drug a good alternative as a simplification approach. However, no clinical data are available supporting the switch of protease inhibitors or no nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors to dolutegravir in virologically suppressed HIV-treated subjects.~Protease inhibitors (PI) have been associated with an acceleration of bone mineral density loss in HIV-infected individuals because of an enhanced osteoclast activity, although some controversial data have been also published. A first study suggest an increase of bone mineral density after switching from PI to raltegravir, the first generation integrase inhibitor, but there are no more data about this subject.~Based on data that PI decrease bone mineral density by accelerating osteoclast cells and that the discontinuation of this drugs could improve bone mineralization, we propose a randomized prospective multicenter study to assess the impact of switching from PI to dolutegravir on bone mineral density in patients with low bone mineral density receiving a PI-containing regimen. At the same time, the study will help to assess the antiviral efficacy and safety of a PI-sparing regimen including dolutegravir as a simplification strategy in virologically suppressed patients.
Protease inhibitors (PI) have been associated with an acceleration of bone mineral density loss in HIV-infected individuals because of an enhanced osteoclast activity, although some controversial data have been also published. A first study suggest an increase of bone mineral density after switching from PI to raltegravir, the first generation integrase inhibitor, but there are no more data about this subject.~Based on data that PI decrease bone mineral density by accelerating osteoclast cells and that the discontinuation of this drugs could improve bone mineralization, we propose a randomized prospective multicenter study to assess the impact of switching from PI to dolutegravir on bone mineral density in patients with low bone mineral density receiving a PI-containing regimen. At the same time, the study will help to assess the antiviral efficacy and safety of a PI-sparing regimen including dolutegravir as a simplification strategy in virologically suppressed patients.