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ObjectivesWith the goal of facilitating the use of HIV-TRePS to optimize therapy in settings with limited healthcare resources, we aimed to develop computational models to predict treatment responses accurately in the absence of commonly used baseline data.MethodsTwelve sets of random forest models were trained using very large, global datasets to predict either the probability of virological response (classifier models) or the absolute change in viral load in response to a new regimen (absolute models) following virological failure. Two 'standard' models were developed with all baseline variables present and 10 others developed without HIV genotype, time on therapy, CD4 count or any combination of the above.ResultsThe standard classifier models achieved an AUC of 0.89 in cross-validation and independent testing. Models with missing variables achieved AUC values of 0.78-0.90. The standard absolute models made predictions that correlated significantly with observed changes in viral load with a mean absolute error of 0.65 log10 copies HIV RNA/mL in cross-validation and 0.69 log10 copies HIV RNA/mL in independent testing. Models with missing variables achieved values of 0.65-0.75 log10 copies HIV RNA/mL. All models identified alternative regimens that were predicted to be effective for the vast majority of cases where the new regimen prescribed in the clinic failed. All models were significantly better predictors of treatment response than genotyping with rules-based interpretation.ConclusionsThese latest models that predict treatment responses accurately, even when a number of baseline variables are not available, are a major advance with greatly enhanced potential benefit, particularly in resource-limited settings. The only obstacle to realizing this potential is the willingness of healthcare professions to use the system.

Original publication

DOI

10.1093/jac/dkab078

Type

Journal article

Journal

The Journal of antimicrobial chemotherapy

Publication Date

06/2021

Volume

76

Pages

1898 - 1906

Addresses

The HIV Resistance Response Database Initiative (RDI), London, UK.

Keywords

RDI study group, Humans, HIV, HIV Infections, RNA, Viral, Anti-HIV Agents, CD4 Lymphocyte Count, Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active, Viral Load, Genotype, Delivery of Health Care