6 Feb 2026
6th of February 2026
Brussels, February 6th, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Large European Study Shows Dolutegravir-Based Two-Drug Regimens Maintain Viral Suppression in >98% of People With HIV Over 96 Weeks
A multicentre European study, COMBINE-2, has found that demonstrated that dolutegravir (DTG)-based two-drug regimens are highly effective, durable, and well tolerated among virologically suppressed people living with HIV in routine clinical practice. The manuscript has been published in HIV Medicine on the 7th of January 2026.
Conducted across 28 hospital sites in 6 European countries, COMBINE-2 followed 737 adults switching to a dual regimen consisting of an integrase inhibitor (INSTI) plus reverse transcriptase inhibitor (RTI). Nearly 73% of participants switched to DTG plus lamivudine (3TC), and 25% to DTG plus rilpivirine (RPV).
Across 24, 48, and 96 weeks of follow-up, more than 98% of participants with available data maintained viral suppression. Virologic failure was rare, occurring in fewer than 1% of individuals. Among the small number of viral load elevations observed, the vast majority represented low-level viraemia (“blips”) rather than clinically significant rebound.
Dual therapy was also well tolerated: only 5% of participants reported non-serious treatment-related adverse events, and serious adverse events occurred in just 0.3% of individuals. Discontinuation rates were low at 5.3% over 96 weeks, most commonly due to tolerability or toxicity concerns. No deaths were reported.
“These results reinforce what we are seeing across Europe and globally - that dolutegravir-based dual therapy provides a potent and durable option for people who are already virally suppressed,”
“Real-world data such as those from the Combine-2 study are highly relevant for confirming in routine clinical practice the findings observed in clinical trials,” said Professor Cristina Mussini, the Principal Investigator for the study.
Dr. Vani Vannappagari, VP and Global Head of Epidemiology & RWE, ViiV Healthcare said “Real-world evidence is strengthening clinical confidence in dolutegravir-based two-drug regimens (Dovato and Juluca), confirming their effectiveness and addressing many questions about dual-drug therapy”
Key Findings from COMBINE-2
• >98% maintained viral suppression at weeks 24, 48, and 96
• <1% experienced virologic failure
• Majority of viral blips were low-level and transient
• Low rates of discontinuation (5.3%)
• Minimal adverse events (5.2% non-serious; 0.3% serious)
• Regimens were durable, effective, and well tolerated across both major dual therapy options: DTG+3TC and DTG+RPV
The study included people with extensive treatment histories—many had been on antiretroviral therapy for more than a decade. Importantly, even individuals with documented historical resistance mutations maintained suppression, including those with prior M184V/I mutations switching to DTG+3TC.
“COMBINE-2 provides some of the most compelling real-world evidence to date that dolutegravir-based dual therapy is not only effective in clinical trials, but is durable, safe and highly reliable in routine practice across Europe,” stated Professor Anton Pozniak.
Please see link to publication: http://doi.org/10.1111/hiv.70187
The study is sponsored and funded by ViiV.
Contributing sites: CHU Saint-Pierre, Brussels (Belgium), Royal Free (UK), University of Brescia (Italy), Modena (Italy), Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp (Belgium), Nantes (France), Hopital Foch (France), KCL (UK), Chelsea & Westminster (UK), Bergamo (Italy), Guys (UK), H Saint Louis, Paris (France), Pitie-Salpetriere (France), St Georges (UK), Southmead (UK), Hospital Clinic, Barcelona (Spain), Istituto Naziona e per le Malattie “Lazzaro Spallanzani”, Rome (Italy), H du Bocage, Dijon (France), North Manchester (UK), Bichat (France), H S Joao, Porto (Portugal), Uni Hosp de Bellvitge (Spain), H Uni Vall d’Hebron (Spain), Henri Mondor, Creteil (France), H Lariboisiere (France)
ENDS
Notes to editors:
1. NEAT ID's mission is to support and develop Clinical Research on Infectious Diseases and spread expertise, resources and funds. NEAT ID provides training and mobility of scientists at all levels and foster lasting research collaborations Internationally. Please visit our website for more details: https://www.NEAT-ID.org
2. Professor Cristina Mussini has been Full Professor of Infectious Diseases at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia in Italy since 2011.
3. Dr. Vani Vannappagari, VP and Global Head of Epidemiology & RWE, ViiV Healthcare.
4. Professor Anton Pozniak is a consultant physician in HIV Medicine at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, Professor in the Department of Clinical Research at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Past President of the International AIDS Society and NEAT ID. Anton has been an advisor on HIV and AIDS to the UK Government Health Select Committee and a member of the expert advisory group on AIDS for the UK Department of Health. He has published more than 400 peer-reviewed papers, mainly on clinical aspects of HIV treatment and care and HIV-associated tuberculosis.
Media contact: Polly.parks@neat-id.org +44 07850 695261