N6LS Antibody Brings Us Closer to Long-Acting HIV Treatment

For decades, people living with HIV have relied on daily pills to keep the virus under control. Whilste effective, taking medication every day can be a challenge. Scientists have been exploring long-acting treatments that require fewer doses, while still keeping HIV in check. One promising option is VH3810109 (N6LS), a special type of antibody that fights the virus in a new way.

A Step Forward: The EMBRACE Study

Last year, researchers tested N6LS in the BANNER study, showing it worked well as a standalone treatment for people new to HIV medication. Now, the latest EMBRACE study is taking it further, by combining N6LS with another long-acting treatment, cabotegravir (CAB LA), to see if it can help people maintain viral suppression with just a few doses per year.

How the Study Worked

The study involved 125 people across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, all of whom had their HIV under control before joining. Participants were divided into three groups:

• N6LS (intravenous) + CAB LA (injections every four months) – 96% stayed undetectable.
• N6LS (under-the-skin) + CAB LA (subcutaneous injections every four months) – 94% stayed undetectable.
• Standard daily HIV pills – 100% stayed undetectable.

While a small percentage experienced a return of the virus, no one developed drug resistance, which is crucial for keeping future treatment options open.

What About Side Effects?

The treatment was generally well tolerated, but how it was given made a difference:

• Intravenous injections (directly into the vein) caused fewer side effects.
• Subcutaneous injections (under the skin) led to injection site reactions in some people, lasting about a week.
• Three people withdrew due to side effects, but there were no serious complications.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Long-Acting HIV Treatment

During the study presentation, experts raised key questions about the treatment’s future. One asked why CAB LA was given monthly instead of every two months. Researchers explained they are taking a step-by-step approach,and plans to test six-month dosing for N6LS and two-month dosing for CAB LA in future studies. Another question was about how many people with HIV could benefit from N6LS?, Rand researchers estimated about 72% of patients would be eligible.

Why This Matters

The idea of getting just a few injections a year instead of taking daily pills could be life-changing for many people living with HIV. While this study shows promise, there’s still work to do in refining the treatment and making it even more convenient. Future research will focus on longer-lasting doses and ensuring the best possible outcomes for patients.

Key Takeaways

• Scientists are working on HIV treatments that require fewer doses per year.
• The EMBRACE study builds on earlier research and tests N6LS combined with CAB LA.
• Most participants remained undetectable, though daily pills were slightly more effective.
• Intravenous injections had fewer side effects than under the skin injections.
• Future studies will explore even longer gaps between doses.

This research marks an exciting step toward making HIV treatment easier and less of a daily burden for millions of people worldwide.