Population pharmacokinetics of tenofovir, emtricitabine and intracellular metabolites in transgender women.

AIMS: Transgender women (TGW) have been underrepresented in trials and use gender-affirming hormonal therapies (GAHT) that may alter renal function by significantly increasing creatinine clearance. Population pharmacokinetic (popPK) models and simulations would aid in understanding potential differences in emtricitabine/tenofovir disproxil fumarate (F/TDF) parent-metabolite concentrations in TGW on GAHT when compared to cisgender men (CGM) not exposed to GAHT. METHODS: Pharmacokinetic (PK) data from a Phase 1, open-label clinical trial with directly observed therapy of daily F/TDF consisting of 8 TGW and 8 CGM was utilized for model building. PopPK analysis was performed using nonlinear mixed effects modelling (NONMEM 7.5.0). Covariates of body weight, creatinine clearance, and gender were evaluated. Final models were subjected to Monte Carlo simulations to compare drug exposure following once daily and on-demand (IPERGAY 2 + 1 + 1) dosing of F/TDF. RESULTS: Tenofovir (TFV) and emtricitabine PK were best described by a 2-compartment model, first-order absorption/elimination with absorption lag time. Parent models were linked to their metabolites by first order formation and elimination. Creatinine clearance was a significant covariate influencing clearance in both models. Simulations demonstrated that at least 2, weekly 2 + 1 + 1 cycles of on-demand dosing in TGW on GAHT is necessary for TFV-diphosphate to reach similar exposure after the initial week of on-demand dosing in CGM not on GAHT. CONCLUSION: PopPK models of TFV, emtricitabine and intracellular metabolites in TGW were established. Dose simulations revealed that TGW should be treated for at least 2 weeks to have comparable exposures to CGM.

Development of In Situ Self-Assembly Nanoparticles to Encapsulate Lopinavir and Ritonavir for Long-Acting Subcutaneous Injection.

Most antiretroviral medications for human immunodeficiency virus treatment and prevention require high levels of patient adherence, such that medications need to be administered daily without missing doses. Here, a long-acting subcutaneous injection of lopinavir (LPV) in combination with ritonavir (RTV) using in situ self-assembly nanoparticles (ISNPs) was developed to potentially overcome adherence barriers. The ISNP approach can improve the pharmacokinetic profiles of the drugs. The ISNPs were characterized in terms of particle size, drug entrapment efficiency, drug loading, in vitro release study, and in vivo pharmacokinetic study. LPV/RTV ISNPs were 167.8 nm in size, with a polydispersity index of less than 0.35. The entrapment efficiency was over 98% for both LPV and RTV, with drug loadings of 25% LPV and 6.3% RTV. A slow release rate of LPV was observed at about 20% on day 5, followed by a sustained release beyond 14 days. RTV released faster than LPV in the first 5 days and slower than LPV thereafter. LPV trough concentration remained above 160 ng/mL and RTV trough concentration was above 50 ng/mL after 6 days with one subcutaneous injection. Overall, the ISNP-based LPV/RTV injection showed sustained release profiles in both in vitro and in vivo studies.

Curcumin Nanoparticles and Their Cytotoxicity in Docetaxel-Resistant Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Cells.

Most prostate cancer patients develop resistance to anti-androgen therapy. This is referred to as castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Docetaxel (DTX) is the mainstay treatment against CRPC. However, over time patients eventually develop DTX resistance, which is the cause of the cancer-related mortality. Curcumin (CUR) as a natural compound has been shown to have very broad pharmacological activities, e.g., anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. However, CUR is very hydrophobic. The objective of this study was to develop CUR nanoparticles (NPs) and evaluate their cytotoxicity in DTX-resistant CRPC cells for the treatment of DTX-resistant CRPC. We tested solubility of CUR in different lipids and surfactants. Finally, Miglyol 812 and D-alpha-tocopheryl poly (ethylene glycol) succinate 1000 (TPGS) were chosen to prepare lipid-based NPs for CUR. We fully characterized CUR NPs that had particle size < 150 nm, high drug loading (7.5%), and entrapment efficiency (90%). Moreover, the CUR NPs were successfully lyophilized without using cryoprotectants. We tested the cytotoxicity of blank NPs, free CUR, and CUR NPs in sensitive DU145 and PC3 cells as well as their matching docetaxel-resistant cells. Cytotoxicity studies showed that blank NPs were very safe for all tested prostate cancer cell lines. Free CUR overcame the resistance in PC3 cells, but not in DU145 cells. In contrast, CUR NPs significantly increased CUR potency in all tested cell lines. Importantly, CUR NPs completely restored CUR potency in both resistant DU145 and PC3 cells. These results demonstrate that the CUR NPs have potential to overcome DTX resistance in CRPC.

In vitro and in vivo nonlinear optical imaging of silicon nanowires.

Understanding of cellular interactions with a nanostructure requires tracking directly the nanostructure. Current investigation is challenged by the lack of a strong, intrinsic signal from the nanostructure. We demonstrate intensive four-wave mixing and third-harmonic generation signals from dimension-controllable silicon nanowires as small as 5 nm in diameter. The nonlinear optical signals observed from the nanowires are highly photostable with an intensity level of 10 times larger than that observed from silver nanoparticles of comparable sizes. This intrinsic optical signal enabled intravital imaging of nanowires circulating in the peripheral blood of a mouse and mapping of nanowires accumulated in the liver and spleen, opening up further opportunities to investigate in vivo cellular response to nanomaterials as a function of size, aspect ratio, and surface chemistry.