Injectable poly-L-lactic acid for human immunodeficiency virus-associated facial lipoatrophy: cumulative year 2 interim analysis of an open-label study (FACES)
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Published on: March 15, 2019
Benjamin Bassichis1, Gary Blick, Marcus Conant
1Advanced Facial Plastic Surgery Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.
Background:
Studies of injectable poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated facial lipoatrophy have predominantly included male Caucasians.
Objective:
To report cumulative year 2 interim study results examining the safety and efficacy of injectable PLLA in subjects with HIV categorized according to Fitzpatrick skin type and sex.
Materials And Methods:
This is an ongoing open-label, multicenter, 5-year study of 290 treated subjects. After correction with injectable PLLA, subjects are being followed annually. Primary end points include incidence and severity of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs). Secondary end points include mean change from baseline of James scale severity grade and treatment satisfaction.
Results:
At 2 years, TEAE incidences were: potentially related to study product (n = 53,18.3%) or injection procedure (n = 71, 24.5%), injection-site nodules (n = 24, 8.3%) and papules (n = 25, 8.6%). No hypertrophic scars, keloids, or product-related serious TEAEs were reported. Mean improvement in James scale grade for all groups was 1.4 (p < .001), and 89.4% of subjects and 95.5% of physicians rated treatment satisfaction as very good or excellent.
Conclusion:
At 2 years, injectable PLLA is a safe and effective long-term treatment for HIV-associated facial lipoatrophy regardless of Fitzpatrick skin type; confirmation of these results will be needed at the completion of this 5-year study.
