Aboud M, et al. - In order to assess the optimal second-line treatment options for HIV-1-infected patients, researchers evaluated safety and efficacy of dolutegravir compared with ritonavir-boosted lopinavir, plus two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) in adults in whom previous first-line antiretroviral therapy with a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) plus two NRTIs has failed. They undertook DAWNING, a phase 3b, open-label, parallel-group, non-inferiority, active-controlled trial, at 58 sites in 13 countries. They screened 968 adults and randomly assigned 624 to the dolutegravir group (n=312) or the ritonavir-boosted lopinavir group (n=312). Outcomes suggest dolutegravir as superior to ritonavir-boosted lopinavir when administered with two NRTIs at 48 weeks and hence for second-line treatment, it can be considered a suitable option.