First-Line Switch to B/F/TAF for Treatment of HIV in Older Adults ≥60 Years in Kenya (the B/F/TAF-Elderly Study) - Summary - MDSpire

First-Line Switch to B/F/TAF for Treatment of HIV in Older Adults ≥60 Years in Kenya (the B/F/TAF-Elderly Study)

  • By

  • Loice Achieng Ombajo

  • Jeremy Penner

  • Joseph Nkuranga

  • Victor Omodi

  • Edwin Otieno

  • Jared Ongechi Mecha

  • Simon Wahome

  • Florentius Ndinya

  • Rukia Aksam

  • Sanjay Bhagani

  • Rose Wafula

  • Anton Pozniak

  • Diana Nyakoe

  • On behalf of

  • the B/F/TAF-Elderly Study Group

  • Ruth Wanjohi

  • Arnold Onyango

  • Foram Bhogayata

  • Janet Oyoo

  • Susan Onywera

  • Martha Atandi

  • Agatha Theuri

  • Beryl Handa

  • Elizabeth Kamau

  • Susan Wanjiru

  • Eunice Karuoya

  • Amos Ongubo

  • Gerald Kiambi

  • Sheila Eshiwani Juliet

  • Lillian Gekonge

  • Florence Kinyanjui

  • Betty Chepchumba

  • Alex Morwabe

  • Kevin Wauna

  • Felix Hinga

  • November 20, 2025

  • 0 min

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Objective:

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of switching virally suppressed older adults in Kenya from their current antiretroviral regimen (CAR) to bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (B/F/TAF).

Key Findings:
  • At week 48, 1.9% of B/F/TAF participants had HIV-1 RNA ≥50 copies/mL compared to 2.7% in the CAR arm, indicating non-inferiority.
  • Change in lumbar spine BMD was +2.18% in the B/F/TAF arm versus 0.68% in the CAR arm (P=0.017).
  • Treatment-related grade 3 or 4 adverse events were similar across both arms, with 16.9% on B/F/TAF and 14.2% on CAR.
  • More participants on B/F/TAF developed incident dyslipidemia compared to CAR (23% vs 14%, P=0.015).
Interpretation:

Switching to B/F/TAF is non-inferior to continuing CAR and is safe for older adults living with HIV in Kenya, with a positive impact on bone mineral density, suggesting a viable treatment option.

Limitations:
  • The study is ongoing, with results only reported up to week 48, which may limit the understanding of long-term effects.
  • Limited generalizability due to the specific population and setting in Kenya, highlighting the need for further research.
Conclusion:

Switching to B/F/TAF is a viable option for older adults with HIV, showing safety and efficacy in improving bone health, particularly in resource-limited settings.

Original Source(s)

First-Line Switch to B/F/TAF for Treatment of HIV in Older Adults ≥60 Years in Kenya (the B/F/TAF-Elderly Study)

  • by Loice Achieng Ombajo, Jeremy Penner, Joseph Nkuranga, Victor Omodi, Edwin Otieno, Jared Ongechi Mecha, Simon Wahome, Florentius Ndinya, Rukia Aksam, Sanjay Bhagani, Rose Wafula, Anton Pozniak, Diana Nyakoe, On behalf of, the B/F/TAF-Elderly Study Group, Ruth Wanjohi, Arnold Onyango, Foram Bhogayata, Janet Oyoo, Susan Onywera, Martha Atandi, Agatha Theuri, Beryl Handa, Elizabeth Kamau, Susan Wanjiru, Eunice Karuoya, Amos Ongubo, Gerald Kiambi, Sheila Eshiwani Juliet, Lillian Gekonge, Florence Kinyanjui, Betty Chepchumba, Alex Morwabe, Kevin Wauna, Felix Hinga

  • November 20, 2025

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