Highlights from the 31st CROI: Key communications with potential impact on future HIV clinical practice

Abstract

The 31st Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) took place between the 3rd–6th March 2024 onsite in Denver, Colorado, USA and online. As one of the major meetings in the field of HIV Medicine, some of the communications presented there have the potential to impact future clinical practice. In this concise report, we have highlighted some abstracts that may soon drive changes in the management of HIV infection and associated conditions. This document focusses on clinical research in adults; basic science and epidemiological abstracts are not covered here. Relevant communications widening the spectrum of currently available and in late-stage development long-acting injectable and oral antiretrovirals were presented. These included presentations reporting a wider use of long-acting injectable cabotegravir and rilpivirine in previously under-researched subpopulations and weekly oral administration of lenacapavir and islatravir. In the field of HIV-related comorbidities, cardiovascular and metabolic risks were highlighted in communications reporting semaglutide use in persons with HIV and lipohypertrophy and further results from sub-studies within the REPRIEVE trial. Several communications addressed the topic of post-exposure prophylaxis for sexually transmitted infection, including the open-label extension of the DoxyPEP trial and the final results of the DOXYVAC trial. In addition, updates on an Mpox outbreak, cryptococcal meningitis treatment and new vaccination strategies for Hepatitis B vaccine non-responders were also presented.