Recent Publications

Structural and pharmacological evaluation of a novel non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor as a promising long acting nanoformulation for treating HIV

Date:

4/30/19

Citation:

Kudalkar SN, Ullah I, Bertoletti N, et al. Structural and pharmacological evaluation of a novel non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor as a promising long acting nanoformulation for treating HIV. Antiviral Res. 2019;167:110-116. doi:10.1016/j.antiviral.2019.04.010. PMID: 31034849; PMCID: PMC6554724.

Combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) has been proven effective in inhibiting human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection and has significantly improved the health outcomes in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients. The therapeutic benefits of cART have been challenged because of the toxicity and emergence of drug-resistant HIV-1 strains along with lifelong patient compliance resulting in non-adherence.

Health Topics:

Semi-solid prodrug nanoparticles for long-acting delivery of water-soluble antiretroviral drugs within combination HIV therapies

Date:

4/1/19

Citation:

Hobson JJ, Al-khouja A, Curley P, et al. Semi-solid prodrug nanoparticles for long-acting delivery of water-soluble antiretroviral drugs within combination HIV therapies. Nature Communications. 2019 Mar;10:1413. PMID: 30926773; PMCID: PMC6441007.

The increasing global prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is estimated at 36.7 million people currently infected. Lifelong antiretroviral (ARV) drug combination dosing allows management as a chronic condition by suppressing circulating viral load to allow for a near-normal life; however, the daily burden of oral administration may lead to non-adherence and drug resistance development.

Health Topics:

Long-Acting Injectable Antiretroviral Treatment Acceptability and Preferences: A Qualitative Study Among US Providers, Adults Living with HIV, and Parents of Youth Living with HIV

Date:

3/15/19

Citation:

Simoni JM, Beima-Sofie K, Mohamed ZH, Christodoulou J, Tapia K, Graham SM, Ho R, Collier AC. Long-Acting Injectable Antiretroviral Treatment Acceptability and Preferences: A Qualitative Study Among US Providers, Adults Living with HIV, and Parents of Youth Living with HIV. AIDS Patient Care STDS. 2019 Mar;33(3):104-111. doi: 10.1089/apc.2018.0198. PMID: 30844308; PMCID: PMC6442271.

To better understand acceptability of long-acting injectable antiretroviral treatment (LAI-ART) regimens for HIV management, we conducted seven semi-structured focus group discussions with experienced HIV care providers and persons living with HIV (PLWH) and five individual interviews with parents of children living with HIV in the western United States. Although providers were wary about a potential negative impact on consistent engagement in care, they predicted that patients, especially those with adherence challenges, would be enthusiastic about LAI options. Many PLWH, especially young adults, welcomed the option of an LAI-ART regimen; however, others feared injections and expressed concerns about possible side effects, dosing more frequent than every 2 weeks, additional costs, and lower efficacy.

Health Topics:

The Invisible Product: Preferences for Sustained-Release, Long-Acting Pre-exposure Prophylaxis to HIV Among South African Youth

Date:

3/14/19

Citation:

Montgomery ET, Atujuna M, Krogstad E, et al. The Invisible Product: Preferences for Sustained-Release, Long-Acting Pre-exposure Prophylaxis to HIV Among South African Youth. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2019 Apr 15;80(5):542-550. doi: 10.1097/QAI.0000000000001960. PMID: 30865050; PMCID: PMC6426447.

Long-acting injectable and implantable approaches aim to overcome some of the documented challenges with uptake and adherence to current HIV prevention methods. Youth are a key end-user population for these methods. We used qualitative methods to examine product attributes and preferences for current and future long-acting HIV prevention approaches.

Health Topics:

Ultra-long-acting removable drug delivery system for HIV treatment and prevention

Date:

2/13/19

Citation:

Kovarova M, Benhabbour SR, Massud I, et al. Ultra-long-acting removable drug delivery system for HIV treatment and prevention. Nat Commun. 2018;9(1):4156. Published 2018 Oct 8. doi:10.1038/s41467-018-06490-w. PMID: 30297889; PMCID: PMC6175887.

Non-adherence to medication is an important health care problem, especially in the treatment of chronic conditions. Injectable long-acting (LA) formulations of antiretrovirals (ARVs) represent a viable alternative to improve adherence to HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention. However, the LA-ARV formulations currently in clinical trials cannot be removed after administration even if adverse events occur. Here we show an ultra-LA removable system that delivers drug for up to 9 months and can be safely removed to stop drug delivery.

Health Topics:

Nanoencapsulation introduces long-acting phenomenon to tenofovir alafenamide and emtricitabine drug combination: A comparative pre-exposure prophylaxis efficacy study against HIV-1 vaginal transmission

Date:

1/28/19

Citation:

Mandal S, Kang G, Prathipati PK. et al. Nanoencapsulation introduces long-acting phenomenon to tenofovir alafenamide and emtricitabine drug combination: A comparative pre-exposure prophylaxis efficacy study against HIV-1 vaginal transmission. J Control Release. 2019 Jan 28;294:216-225. doi: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2018.12.027. Epub 2018 Dec 18. PMID: 30576746; PMCID: PMC6339842.

Abstract
Daily oral antiretroviral (ARV) drugs for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has proven efficacy for diverse groups of high-risk individuals. However, daily dosing regimen has augmented non-adherence. These experiments comparatively investigated the long-acting (LA) PrEP potency of subcutaneous (SubQ) administrated tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) and emtricitabine (FTC) loaded nanoparticles (NPs) to solution in humanized (hu) mice.

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Predicting drug-drug interactions between rifampicin and long-acting cabotegravir and rilpivirine using PBPK modelling

Date:

12/19/18

Citation:

Rajoli RKR, Curley P, Chiong J, et al. Predicting drug-drug interactions between rifampicin and long-acting cabotegravir and rilpivirine using PBPK modelling. J Infect Dis. 2019 May 5;219(11):1735-1742. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiy726. PMID: 30566691; PMCID: PMC6500558.

Cabotegravir and rilpivirine are two long-acting (LA) ARVs that can be administered intramuscularly (IM); their interaction with rifampicin, a first-line anti-TB agent, has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to simulate and predict DDIs between these LA ARV agents and rifampicin using PBPK modelling.

Health Topics:

Tuberculosis

Ultra-long-acting removable drug delivery system for HIV treatment and prevention

Date:

11/12/18

Citation:

Kovarova M, Benhabbour SR, Massud I, Spagnuolo RA, Skinner B, Baker CE, Sykes C, Mollan KR, Kashuba ADM, Garcia-Lerma JG, Mumper RJ, Garcia JV. Ultra-long-acting removable drug delivery system for HIV treatment and prevention. Nat Commun. 2018 Oct 8;9(1):4156. doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-06490-w. PMID: 30297889; PMCID: PMC6175887.

Abstract
Non-adherence to medication is an important health care problem, especially in the treatment of chronic conditions. Injectable long-acting (LA) formulations of antiretrovirals (ARVs) represent a viable alternative to improve adherence to HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention. However, the LA-ARV formulations currently in clinical trials cannot be removed after administration even if adverse events occur. Here we show an ultra-LA removable system that delivers drug for up to 9 months and can be safely removed to stop drug delivery.

Health Topics:

Extended-Duration MK-8591-Eluting Implant as a Candidate for HIV Treatment and Prevention

Date:

10/1/18

Citation:

Barrett SE, Teller RS, Forster SP, et al. Extended-Duration MK-8591-Eluting Implant as a Candidate for HIV Treatment and Prevention. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2018 Sep 24;62(10). PMID: 30012772; PMCID: PMC6153840.

Regimen adherence remains a major hurdle to the success of daily oral drug regimens for the treatment and prevention of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Long-acting drug formulations requiring less-frequent dosing offer an opportunity to improve adherence and allow for more forgiving options with regard to missed doses. The administration of long-acting formulations in a clinical setting enables health care providers to directly track adherence.

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