Preferences Among Physicians and Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) for a Long-Acting, Removable Implant for HIV Prevention: A Discrete Choice Study.

A longer acting, removable implant for HIV prevention has the potential to improve uptake of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) by removing the need for daily adherence to an oral tablet, reducing potential side effects, and eliminating concerns about residual drug following injections. To end the HIV epidemic, we must understand the needs and preferences of groups most affected by HIV (e.g., men who have sex with men; MSM), and the physicians who prescribe PrEP to them. This article describes a discrete choice experiment to estimate the preference share for the implant within a competitive context of other PrEP products (including the oral tablet, dissolvable implant, and injection) and evaluate the impact of potential implant attributes. Physicians who had prescribed oral PrEP (n = 75) and MSM at risk for HIV (n = 175) completed a web-based survey that prompted decision-making about PrEP product preferences. The findings from both physicians and MSM demonstrated that the removable implant could capture a meaningful portion of the preference share, making it feasible to advance in the development pipeline as an important addition to the biomedical HIV prevention toolkit. Among MSM, specifically, the cost of treatment was the most important attribute impacting product preference. Our findings inform implant developers and future payers (e.g., commercial manufacturers, insurance companies) about specific device attributes that will likely affect MSM's willingness to use and physicians' willingness to prescribe this HIV prevention strategy.

Conjoint Analysis of User Acceptability of Sustained Long-Acting Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis for HIV.

Long-acting delivery modalities of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), such as subdermal implants, are in development. To facilitate end-user uptake and sustained use, it is critical to understand potential consumers' and physician prescribers' preferences about, interest in, and relative importance of different implant features. The ordered identification of these key attributes allows implant developers to incorporate this feedback into product design, which theoretically improves acceptability, feasibility, and user experience with the device. In this study, n = 75 PrEP-prescribing physicians and n = 143 men having sex with men (MSM) at risk for HIV completed web-based surveys that directly compared the importance of eight to nine different implant features, respectively. Conjoint analysis determined the importance of these features, relative to each other. Implants presented in the study were well received, with a majority of physicians and MSM indicating that they were likely to recommend or use them. The implant was perceived as unique, reliable, and convenient, as well as able to deliver better compliance. The attributes most critical to the adoption of the implant among physicians and MSM were (1) the chance of becoming infected with HIV while on implant treatment, (2) the length of protection and size of the implant, and (3) the side effect advantages over current PrEP oral pill treatment. Some concerns about the implant included side effects and the product's safety (among MSM) and the cost or insurance coverage level for the implant (both physicians and MSM). There was also some resistance to the implantation procedure itself.

Design and Testing of a Cabotegravir Implant for HIV Prevention.

Long-acting antiretroviral implants could help protect high-risk individuals from HIV infection. We describe the design and testing of a long-acting reservoir subcutaneous implant capable of releasing cabotegravir for several months. We compressed cabotegravir and excipients into cylindrical pellets and heat-sealed them in tubing composed of hydrophilic poly(ether-urethane) -. The implants have a 47 mm lumen length, 3.6 mm outer diameter, and 200 µm wall thickness. Four cabotegravir pellets were sealed in the membrane, with a total drug loading of 274 ± 3 mg. In vivo, the implants released 348 ± 107 µg/day (median value per implant, N = 41) of cabotegravir in rhesus macaques. Five implants generated an average cabotegravir plasma concentration of 373 ng/ml in rhesus macaques. The non-human primates tolerated the implant without gross pathology or microscopic signs of histopathology compared to placebo implants. Cabotegravir plasma levels in macaques dropped below detectable levels within two weeks after the removal of the implants.

Design of a Drug-Eluting Subcutaneous Implant of the Antiretroviral Tenofovir Alafenamide Fumarate.

PURPOSE: Sexual transmission of HIV has been clinically proven to be preventable with a once-daily oral tablet; however, missed doses dramatically increase the risk of HIV infection. Long-acting subcutaneous implants do not allow the user to miss a dose. A desirable long-acting drug-eluting implant can deliver a constant amount of drug, adjust the delivered dose, and be readily manufactured. We present a long-acting, subcutaneous implant design composed of tenofovir alafenamide hemifumarate (TAF) pellets loaded in a sealed polyether urethane tube for the prevention of HIV transmission. METHODS: Implants were prepared with pressed drug pellets and extruded polyurethane tubing. In vitro release rate of implants using different pellet formulations, rate-controlling membranes, and geometries were measured. RESULTS: Tenofovir alafenamide release appeared to be governed by a pseudo-steady state and followed a mass transport model of release from a cylindrical drug reservoir. Implant seal integrity was tested and confirmed using mechanical testing. The inclusion of sodium chloride in the pellet increased the release rate and reduced initial lag. The release was sustained for 100 days. CONCLUSIONS: The release rate of tenofovir alafenamide mechanistically varied with geometry and rate controlling membrane composition. The polyether urethane implant presented herein is modular and tunable to adjust the release rate and duration of the TAF release.

A Subcutaneous Implant of Tenofovir Alafenamide Fumarate Causes Local Inflammation and Tissue Necrosis in Rabbits and Macaques.

We describe the in vitro and in vivo evaluation of a subcutaneous reservoir implant delivering tenofovir alafenamide hemifumarate (TAF) for the prevention of HIV infection. These long-acting reservoir implants were able to deliver antiretroviral drug for over 90 days in vitro and in vivo We evaluated the implants for implantation site histopathology and pharmacokinetics in plasma and tissues for up to 12 weeks in New Zealand White rabbit and rhesus macaque models. A dose-ranging study in rabbits demonstrated dose-dependent pharmacokinetics and local inflammation up to severe necrosis around the active implants. The matched placebos showed normal wound healing and fibrous tissue encapsulation of the implant. We designed a second implant with a lower release rate and flux of TAF and achieved a median cellular level of tenofovir diphosphate of 42 fmol per 106 rhesus macaque peripheral blood mononuclear cells at a TAF dose of 10 µg/kg/day. This dose and flux of TAF also resulted in adverse local inflammation and necrosis near the implant in rhesus macaques. The level of inflammation in the primates was markedly lower in the placebo group than in the active-implant group. The histological inflammatory response to the TAF implant at 4 and 12 weeks in primates was graded as a severe reaction. Thus, while we were able to achieve a sustained target dose, we observed an unacceptable inflammatory response locally at the implant tissue interface.

Qualitative Consumer Research on Acceptance of Long-Acting Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Products Among Men Having Sex with Men and Medical Practitioners in the United States.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with oral Truvada® prevents HIV infection. However, the adherence to pill taking required for efficacy has sparked interest in developing new antiretroviral delivery systems that decrease such demands. Long-acting formulations, such as injections and implants, represent promising options that require less frequent adherence. It is important, however, that development of these new modalities be driven by understanding of the value seen in them by target users to maximize their uptake. To identify the key product features that impact user acceptance, we used a three-phase marketing research approach. In this study, we describe the results of the first-phase, qualitative focus group research performed in Chicago and San Francisco that explored subjective perceptions of oral versus alternative PrEP modalities among men having sex with men (MSM) and medical practitioners caring for MSM. Data revealed that potential value in long-acting PrEP lies more in simplifying the lives of users rather than in making them more confident in their adherence. The results provide an important guidance for designing and promoting these future long-acting products to enhance their contribution to increasing the current limited uptake of PrEP that will better stem the HIV epidemic.

A Dose Ranging Pharmacokinetic Evaluation of IQP-0528 Released from Intravaginal Rings in Non-Human Primates.

PURPOSE: Design of intravaginal rings (IVRs) for delivery of antiretrovirals is often guided by in vitro release under sink conditions, based on the assumption that in vivo release will follow a similar release profile. METHODS: We conducted a dose-ranging study in the female reproductive tract of pigtail macaques using matrix IVRs containing IQP-0528, a poorly soluble but highly potent antiretroviral drug with an IC90 of 146 ng/mL. These IVRs consisted of drug-loaded segments, 15.6% IQP-0528 in Tecoflex 85A, comprising either all, half, or a quarter of the entire ring. RESULTS: In vitro release under sink conditions demonstrates loading-proportional release, with a cumulative 30-day release of 48.5 ± 2.2 mg for our 100% loaded ring, 24.8 ± .36 mg from our 50% loaded ring, and 13.99 ± 1.58 mg from our 25% loaded ring. In vivo, while drug concentration in vaginal fluid is well in excess of IQP-0528's EC90, we find no statistical difference between the different ring loadings in either swab drug levels or drug released from our rings. CONCLUSIONS: We show that in vitro release may not accurately reflect in vivo release, particularly for poorly soluble drugs. All tested loadings of our IVRs are capable of delivering IQP-0528 well in excess of the IC90.

Long-term direct visualization of passively transferred fluorophore-conjugated antibodies.

The use of therapeutic antibodies, delivered by intravenous (IV) instillation, is a rapidly expanding area of biomedical treatment for a variety of conditions. However, little is known about how the antibodies are anatomically distributed following infusion and the underlying mechanism mediating therapeutic antibody distribution to specific anatomical sites remains to be elucidated. Current efforts utilize low resolution and sensitivity methods such as ELISA and indirect labeling imaging techniques, which often leads to high background and difficulty in assessing biodistribution. Here, using the in vivo non-human primate model, we demonstrate that it is possible to utilize the fluorophores Cy5 and Cy3 directly conjugated to antibodies for direct visualization and quantification of passively transferred antibodies in plasma, tissue, and in mucosal secretions. Antibodies were formulated with 1-2 fluorophores per antibody to minimally influence antibody function. Fluorophore conjugated Gamunex-C (pooled human IgG) were tested for binding to protein A, via surface plasmon resonance, and showed similar levels of binding when compared to unlabeled Gamunex-C. In order to assess the effect fluorophore labeling has on turnover and localization, rhesus macaques were IV infused with either labeled or unlabeled Gamunex-C. Plasma, vaginal Weck-Cel fluid, cervicovaginal mucus, and vaginal/rectal tissue biopsies were collected up to 8weeks. Similar turnover and biodistribution was observed between labeled and unlabeled antibodies, showing that the labeling process did not have an obvious deleterious effect on localization or turnover. Cy5 and Cy3 labeled antibodies were readily detected in the same pattern regardless of fluorophore. Tissue distribution was measured in macaque vaginal and rectal biopsies. The labeled antibody in macaque biopsies was found to have similar biodistribution pattern to endogenous antibodies in macaque and human tissues. In the vaginal and rectal mucosa, endogenous and infused antibodies were found primarily within the lamina propria. In the mucosal squamous epithelium of the vaginal vault, significant antibody was also observed in a striated pattern in the superficial, nonviable, stratum corneum. Endogenous antibody distribution in both human and macaque squamous tissues exhibited a similar pattern as seen with the labeled and unlabeled antibodies. This proof-of-principle study reveals that the labeled antibody is stable and physiologically similar relative to endogenous antibody setting the stage for future work to better understand the mechanisms of how antibodies reach unique anatomical sites. Direct visualization of fluorophore-conjugated antibodies following passive infusion can be utilized to assess the kinetics of biodistribution of infused antibodies and may be a useful approach to monitor and predict efficacy of therapeutic antibodies.

Repeated administration of high-dose depot medroxyprogesterone acetate does not alter SHIVSF162p3 viral kinetics and tenofovir pharmacokinetics when delivered via intravaginal rings.

BACKGROUND: Intravaginal rings (IVR) for HIV prevention will likely be used by women on depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) hormonal contraception. We used pigtailed macaques to evaluate the effects of DMPA on tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) IVR pharmacokinetics and viral shedding. METHODS: Mucosal tenofovir (TFV) levels were compared in SHIVSF162p3 -negative DMPA-treated (n=4) and normally cycling (n=6) macaques receiving TDF IVRs. Plasma viremia and vaginal shedding were determined in groups of SHIVSF162p3 -positive DMPA-treated (n=6) and normally cycling (n=5) macaques. RESULTS: Similar median vaginal fluid TFV concentrations were observed in the DMPA-treated and cycling macaques over 4 weeks (1.2×105 and 1.1.×105  ng/mL, respectively). Median plasma viremia and vaginal shedding AUC of the DMPA-treated (2.73×107 and 8.15×104 copies/mL, respectively) and cycling macaques (3.98×107 and 1.47×103 copies/mL, respectively) were statistically similar. CONCLUSIONS: DMPA does not affect TDF IVR pharmacokinetics or SHIV shedding.

Preferences for Long-Acting Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), Daily Oral PrEP, or Condoms for HIV Prevention Among U.S. Men Who Have Sex with Men.

HIV prevention method preferences were evaluated among 512 U.S. men who have sex with men (MSM; median age: 22 years). Approximately 90 % consistently preferred one option across pairwise comparisons of condoms, daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and long-acting PrEP delivered via either an injectable or one of two types of PrEP implants differing in visibility. Condoms were most frequently preferred (33.8 %), followed by non-visible implants (21.5 %), and oral PrEP (17.0 %); HIV risk was reported by more choosing implants. In a follow-up question comparing the four PrEP options only, daily oral pills and non-visible implants were most frequently preferred (35.5 and 34.3 %, respectively), followed by injections (25.2 %) and visible implants (4.3 %). An inductive, open-coding approach determined that convenience, duration of protection, and privacy were the most commonly cited reasons for a PrEP method choice, and associated with self-report of HIV risk. Tailoring PrEP product development to privacy and other concerns important to those at highest HIV risk may improve HIV prevention.

Increases in Endogenous or Exogenous Progestins Promote Virus-Target Cell Interactions within the Non-human Primate Female Reproductive Tract.

Currently, there are mounting data suggesting that HIV-1 acquisition in women can be affected by the use of certain hormonal contraceptives. However, in non-human primate models, endogenous or exogenous progestin-dominant states are shown to increase acquisition. To gain mechanistic insights into this increased acquisition, we studied how mucosal barrier function and CD4+ T-cell and CD68+ macrophage density and localization changed in the presence of natural progestins or after injection with high-dose DMPA. The presence of natural or injected progestins increased virus penetration of the columnar epithelium and the infiltration of susceptible cells into a thinned squamous epithelium of the vaginal vault, increasing the likelihood of potential virus interactions with target cells. These data suggest that increasing either endogenous or exogenous progestin can alter female reproductive tract barrier properties and provide plausible mechanisms for increased HIV-1 acquisition risk in the presence of increased progestin levels.

Enhanced binding of antibodies generated during chronic HIV infection to mucus component MUC16.

Transmission of HIV across mucosal barriers accounts for the majority of HIV infections worldwide. Thus, efforts aimed at enhancing protective immunity at these sites are a top priority, including increasing virus-specific antibodies (Abs) and antiviral activity at mucosal sites. Mucin proteins, including the largest cell-associated mucin, mucin 16 (MUC16), help form mucus to provide a physical barrier to incoming pathogens. Here, we describe a natural interaction between Abs and MUC16 that is enhanced in specific disease settings such as chronic HIV infection. Binding to MUC16 was independent of IgG subclass, but strongly associated with shorter Ab glycan profiles, with agalactosylated (G0) Abs demonstrating the highest binding to MUC16. Binding of Abs to epithelial cells was diminished following MUC16 knockdown, and the MUC16 N-linked glycans were critical for binding. Further, agalactosylated VRC01 captured HIV more efficiently in MUC16. These data point to a novel opportunity to enrich Abs at mucosal sites by targeting Abs to MUC16 through changes in Fc glycosylation, potentially blocking viral movement and sequestering the virus far from the epithelial border. Thus, next-generation vaccines or monoclonal therapeutics may enhance protective immunity by tuning Ab glycosylation to promote the enrichment of Abs at mucosal barriers.

Perceptibility and the "Choice Experience": User Sensory Perceptions and Experiences Inform Vaginal Prevention Product Design.

The development of pericoital (on demand) vaginal HIV prevention technologies remains a global health priority. Clinical trials to date have been challenged by nonadherence, leading to an inability to demonstrate product efficacy. The work here provides new methodology and results to begin to address this limitation. We created validated scales that allow users to characterize sensory perceptions and experiences when using vaginal gel formulations. In this study, we sought to understand the user sensory perceptions and experiences (USPEs) that characterize the preferred product experience for each participant. Two hundred four women evaluated four semisolid vaginal formulations using the USPE scales at four randomly ordered formulation evaluation visits. Women were asked to select their preferred formulation experience for HIV prevention among the four formulations evaluated. The scale scores on the Sex-associated USPE scales (e.g., Initial Penetration and Leakage) for each participant's selected formulation were used in a latent class model analysis. Four classes of preferred formulation experiences were identified. Sociodemographic and sexual history variables did not predict class membership; however, four specific scales were significantly related to class: Initial Penetration, Perceived Wetness, Messiness, and Leakage. The range of preferred user experiences represented by the scale scores creates a potential target range for product development, such that products that elicit scale scores that fall within the preferred range may be more acceptable, or tolerable, to the population under study. It is recommended that similar analyses should be conducted with other semisolid vaginal formulations, and in other cultures, to determine product property and development targets.

Controlling the hydration rate of a hydrophilic matrix in the core of an intravaginal ring determines antiretroviral release.

Intravaginal ring technology is generally limited to releasing low molecular weight species that can diffuse through the ring elastomer. To increase the diversity of drugs that can be delivered from intravaginal rings, we designed an IVR that contains a drug matrix encapsulated in the core of the IVR whereby the mechanism of drug release is uncoupled from the interaction of the drug with the ring elastomer. We call the device a flux controlled pump, and it is comprised of compressed pellets of a mixture of drug and hydroxypropyl cellulose within the hollow core of the ring. The pump orifice size and chemistry of the polymer pellets control the rate of hydration and diffusion of the drug-containing hydroxypropyl cellulose gel from the device. A mechanistic model describing the hydration and diffusion of the hydroxypropyl cellulose matrix is presented. Good agreement between the quantitative model predictions and the experimental studies of drug release was obtained. We achieved controlled release rates of multiple antiretrovirals ranging from µg/d to mg/d by altering the orifice design, drug loading, and mass of pellets loaded in the device. This device could provide an adaptable platform for the vaginal drug delivery of many molecules.

Engineering and characterization of simplified vaginal and seminal fluid simulants.

BACKGROUND: Reported vaginal and seminal fluid simulants have complex compositions with multiple preparatory steps that contribute to physical instability. We report the design and characterization of stable and simplified buffers that mimic the salient physical/chemical properties of the physiological fluids. STUDY DESIGN/METHODS: Human cervicovaginal and seminal fluid samples were collected and buffering capacity was determined. The major buffering species were identified from published compositions of reproductive tract fluids. These values were used to compute the composition of vaginal and seminal fluid simulants. Ionic strength, buffering capacities, pH and osmolalities were then calculated or experimentally determined. Finally, cytotoxicity was evaluated in HEC-1-A cells and 3D reconstructed EpiVaginal™ tissue (VEC-100-FT) using naïve cells/tissue and nonoxynol-9 as controls. RESULTS: The use of calculated amounts of conjugate acid and base for buffer development resulted in compositions that did not require endpoint pH adjustment and could be formulated as stable 10× concentrates. Furthermore, due to the absence of complex divalent salts, all our proposed simulants were stable at 4 °C for 1 month whereas precipitation and pH and osmolality changes were noted in reported buffers. Experimental determination of buffering capacities yielded similar values for undiluted cervicovaginal fluid (ß4.2-5.2=35.6 ± 12.3 mM, N=7) and human seminal fluid (ß7-6=37.5 ± 5 mM, N=3). All neat simulants showed significant cytotoxicity in HEC-1-A cells but were well tolerated by organotypic vaginal tissue. CONCLUSIONS: We report revised and improved compositions of buffers mimicking salient properties of vaginal and seminal fluid necessary for in vitro product evaluation. IMPLICATIONS: To support research in reproductive health and in particular drug delivery, we have designed and characterized stable new media to mimic these important fluids that can be used in a variety of in vitro studies.

A phase 1 randomized placebo-controlled safety and pharmacokinetic trial of a tenofovir disoproxil fumarate vaginal ring.

BACKGROUND: Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), a prodrug of tenofovir (TFV), may be ideal for topical HIV preexposure prophylaxis because it has higher tissue and cell permeability than TFV; is not adversely impacted by seminal proteins; and its active metabolite, TFV-diphosphate (TFV-DP), has a long intracellular half-life. We engineered a TDF eluting polyurethane reservoir intravaginal ring (IVR) to provide near constant mucosal antiretroviral concentrations. METHODS: A first-in-human randomized placebo-controlled trial was conducted to assess the safety and pharmacokinetics of the TDF IVR in healthy, sexually abstinent women (15 TDF and 15 placebo). Drug concentrations were measured in cervicovaginal fluid (CVF) obtained by swab, cervical tissue, plasma, and dried blood spots (DBS) over 14 days of continuous ring use. RESULTS: There were 43 total, 23 reproductive tract, and eight product-related grade 1 adverse events. Steady-state CVF TFV concentrations were achieved proximal (vagina, ectocervix) and distal (introitus) to the TDF IVR 1 day after ring insertion. Median tissue TFV-DP concentrations 14 days after TDF IVR placement were 120 fmol/mg (interquartile range 90, 550). CVF collected from the cervix 1 week and 2 weeks after TDF IVR insertion provided significant protection against ex-vivo HIV challenge. Eleven of 14 (78%) participants had detectable TFV-DP DBS concentrations 14 days after TDF IVR placement, suggesting that DBS may provide a surrogate marker of adherence in future clinical trials. CONCLUSION: A TDF IVR is safe, well tolerated, and results in mucosal TFV concentrations that exceed those associated with HIV protection. The findings support further clinical evaluation of this TDF IVR.

Differential Mechanisms of Tenofovir and Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate Cellular Transport and Implications for Topical Preexposure Prophylaxis.

Intravaginal rings releasing tenofovir (TFV) or its prodrug, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), are being evaluated for HIV and herpes simplex virus (HSV) prevention. The current studies were designed to determine the mechanisms of drug accumulation in human vaginal and immune cells. The exposure of vaginal epithelial or T cells to equimolar concentrations of radiolabeled TDF resulted in over 10-fold higher intracellular drug levels than exposure to TFV. Permeability studies demonstrated that TDF, but not TFV, entered cells by passive diffusion. TDF uptake was energy independent but its accumulation followed nonlinear kinetics, and excess unlabeled TDF inhibited radiolabeled TDF uptake in competition studies. The carboxylesterase inhibitor bis-nitrophenyl phosphate reduced TDF uptake, suggesting saturability of intracellular carboxylesterases. In contrast, although TFV uptake was energy dependent, no competition between unlabeled and radiolabeled TFV was observed, and the previously identified transporters, organic anion transporters (OATs) 1 and 3, were not expressed in human vaginal or T cells. The intracellular accumulation of TFV was reduced by the addition of endocytosis inhibitors, and this resulted in the loss of TFV antiviral activity. Kinetics of drug transport and metabolism were monitored by quantifying the parent drugs and their metabolites by high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). Results were consistent with the identified mechanisms of transport, and the exposure of vaginal epithelial cells to equimolar concentrations of TDF compared to TFV resulted in ∼40-fold higher levels of the active metabolite, tenofovir diphosphate. Together, these findings indicate that substantially lower concentrations of TDF than TFV are needed to protect cells from HIV and HSV-2.

The Promise of Intravaginal Rings for Prevention: User Perceptions of Biomechanical Properties and Implications for Prevention Product Development.

Intravaginal rings (IVRs) are currently under investigation as devices for the delivery of agents to protect against the sexual transmission of HIV and STIs, as well as pregnancy. To assist product developers in creating highly acceptable rings, we sought to identify characteristics that intravaginal ring users consider when making decisions about ring use or non-use. We conducted four semi-structured focus groups with 21 women (aged 18-45) who reported using an IVR in the past 12 months. Participants manipulated four prototype rings in their hands, discussed ring materials, dimensionality, and "behavior," and shared perceptions and appraisals. Five salient ring characteristics were identified: 1) appearance of the rings' surfaces, 2) tactile sensations of the cylinder material, 3) materials properties, 4) diameter of the cylinder, and 5) ring circumference. Pliability (or flexibility) was generally considered the most important mechanical property. Several ring properties (e.g., porousness, dimensionality) were associated with perceptions of efficacy. Women also revealed user behaviors that may impact the effectiveness of certain drugs, such as removing, rinsing and re-inserting the ring while bathing, and removing the ring during sexual encounters. As product developers explore IVRs as prevention delivery systems, it is critical to balance product materials and dimensions with use parameters to optimize drug delivery and the user experience. It is also critical to consider how user behaviors (e.g., removing the ring) might impact drug delivery.

An Intravaginal Ring for the Simultaneous Delivery of an HIV-1 Maturation Inhibitor and Reverse-Transcriptase Inhibitor for Prophylaxis of HIV Transmission.

Nucleocapsid 7 (NCp7) inhibitors have been investigated extensively for their role in impeding the function of HIV-1 replication machinery and their ability to directly inactivate the virus. A class of NCp7 zinc finger inhibitors, S-acyl-2-mercaptobenzamide thioesters (SAMTs), was investigated for topical drug delivery. SAMTs are inherently unstable because of their hydrolytically labile thioester bond, thus requiring formulation approaches that can lend stability. We describe the delivery of N-[2-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoylthio)benzoyl]-ß-alaninamide (SAMT-10), as a single agent antiretroviral (ARV) therapeutic and in combination with the HIV-1 reverse-transcriptase inhibitor pyrimidinedione IQP-0528, from a hydrophobic polyether urethane (PEU) intravaginal ring (IVR) for a month. The physicochemical stability of the ARV-loaded IVRs was confirmed after 3 months at 40°C/75% relative humidity. In vitro, 25 ± 3 mg/IVR of SAMT-10 and 86 ± 13 mg/IVR of IQP-0528 were released. No degradation of the hydrolytically labile SAMT-10 was observed within the matrix. The combination of ARVs had synergistic antiviral activity when tested in in vitro cell-based assays. Toxicological evaluations performed on an organotypic EpiVaginal(™) tissue model demonstrated a lack of formulation toxicity. Overall, SAMT-10 and IQP-0528 were formulated in a stable PEU IVR for sustained release. Our findings support the need for further preclinical evaluation. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 104:3426-3439, 2015.

Imaging endocervical mucus anatomy and dynamics in macaque female reproductive track using optical coherence tomography.

BACKGROUND: Endocervical mucus acts as an important barrier to block human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Disruption of the mucus layer increases the risk of infection for females. An effective method to image the mucus properties can serve as a pre-screening step to risk-stratify the susceptible population. METHODS: We proposed to use optical coherence tomography (OCT) to quantitatively measure the thickness of endocervical mucus. We used a home-built bench-top OCT system to monitor the dynamic change in mucus thickness of a cultivated sample. We also fabricated a prototype endoscopic OCT probe to demonstrate potential in situ applications. RESULTS: We observed a 200% increase in the endocervical mucus thickness after cultivating in 37 °C phosphate buffered saline solution for 30 minutes. During mucus hydrolysis, we found that mucus layer thickness decreased to about 60% of its original value after applying neuraminidase. Three dimensional volumetric image of intact macaque inner vaginal wall was also acquired. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that OCT can quantitatively measure the endocervical mucus thickness and its dynamics in ex vivo experiments. Endoscopic OCT has the potential to resolve fine structures inside macaque female reproductive track (FRT) for in vivo applications.