Vaginal rings with exposed cores for sustained delivery of the HIV CCR5 inhibitor 5P12-RANTES.

ABSTRACT: Antiretroviral-releasing vaginal rings are at the forefront of ongoing efforts to develop microbicide-based strategies for prevention of heterosexual transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). However, traditional ring designs are generally only useful for vaginal administration of relatively potent, lipophilic, and small molecular weight drug molecules that have sufficient permeability in the non-biodegradable silicone elastomer or thermoplastic polymers. Here, we report a novel, easy-to-manufacture 'exposed-core' vaginal ring that provides sustained release of the protein microbicide candidate 5P12-RANTES, an experimental chemokine analogue that potently blocks the HIV CCR5 coreceptor. In vitro release, mechanical, and stability testing demonstrated the utility and practical

SUBMITTER: McBride JW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6414755 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature