Which antiretroviral drug class includes dolutegravir and bictegravir, forming the core of modern first-line HIV treatment regimens?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs)
- Step 1: Dolutegravir, bictegravir, and raltegravir are integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs).
- Step 2: They inhibit the catalytic activity of HIV integrase, preventing insertion of viral DNA into host genomic DNA, and feature high genetic barriers to resistance with rapid viral load suppression.
Answer
Integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs).
Why not the others: 'Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs)' include tenofovir, emtricitabine, and abacavir; 'Protease inhibitors (PIs)' include darunavir and atazanavir; 'Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs)' include efavirenz and rilpivirine.
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