A nanofluidic implant delivered an HIV drug with superior potency compared with oral and other HIV drugs, according to a study published in the Journal of Controlled Release. These findings may lead to the availability of a longer-lasting and refillable implant that can effectively deliver HIV antiviral medication.
Treatment nonadherence remains a considerable challenge for patients who take HIV medications, which can eventually lead to an inability to tolerate antiretrovirals.
Islatravir is an investigational drug administered once daily or weekly in a combination regimen. Researchers assessed the tolerability of the drug when subcutaneously administered at a low dose in a continuous manner. “The potency of continuous, subdermal elution of islatravir was 5-fold higher than cabotegravir, an intramuscular injectable antiviral for HIV prevention and treatment,” said Alessandro Grattoni, PhD, chair of the Department of Nanomedicine at Houston Methodist Research Institute, via a press release.
The nanofluidic device is intended for long-term controlled and sustained release, avoiding repeated systemic treatment that often leads to adverse side effects. Further research is underway to determine the effectiveness and safety of this delivery technology, but researchers would like to see it become a viable option for patients with HIV in the next few years.
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