Development and Evaluation of Nanoparticles-in-Film Technology to Achieve Extended In Vivo Exposure of MK-2048 for HIV Prevention

oleh: Xin Tong, Sravan Kumar Patel, Jing Li, Dorothy Patton, Elaine Xu, Peter L. Anderson, Urvi Parikh, Yvonne Sweeney, Julie Strizki, Sharon L. Hillier, Lisa C. Rohan

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2022-03-01

Deskripsi

MK-2048 is a second-generation integrase inhibitor active against HIV, which has been applied vaginally using ring formulations. In this work, a nanoparticle-in-film technology was developed as a discrete pre-exposure prophylactic product option against HIV for an extended duration of use. A film platform loaded with poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles (PNP) encapsulating MK-2048 was engineered. MK-2048 PNPs were loaded into films that were manufactured via the solvent casting method. Physicochemical and mechanical properties, in vitro efficacy, <i>Lactobacillus</i> compatibility, in vitro and ex vivo permeability, and in vivo pharmacokinetics in macaques were evaluated. PNPs with a mean diameter of 382.2 nm and −15.2 mV zeta potential were obtained with 95.2% drug encapsulation efficiency. PNP films showed comparable in vitro efficacy to free MK-2048 (IC<sub>50</sub> 0.46 vs. 0.54 nM) and were found to have no impact on <i>Lactobacillus</i>. MK-2048 encapsulated in PNPs showed an increase in permeability (>4-fold) compared to the free MK-2048 in MDCKII cell lines. Furthermore, PNPs had higher ectocervical tissue permeability (1.7-fold) compared to free MK-2048. PNP films showed sustained drug levels for at least 3 weeks in the macaque vaginal fluid. This work demonstrates the synergy of integrating nanomedicine and polymeric film technology to achieve sustained vaginal drug delivery.