2023-06-28 20:00:15
The pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) It is a fundamental tool for controlling the HIV epidemic, since it can drastically reduce the probability of becoming infected with HIV in risk groups. Consists in daily intake and orally of any medication indicated against the AIDS virus, is a very effective measure to prevent HIV infection. However, it only works correctly if people they strictly follow the protocoland a part of them ends up failing to comply.
For this reason, many people at risk never start PrEP or have trouble sticking to treatment.
To improve this situation, a team of researchers from the Houston Methodist Research Institute (USA), led by Fernanda Pons-Faudoahas tested an implant under the skin in non-human primates that releases the islatravir antiretroviral and that it maintains adequate concentrations for at least 20 months. The results, which are published in the journal Science Translational Medicineshow complete protection against infection upon repeated exposure.
The PrEP that we already carry out in clinical practice is carried out with daily pills and is very effective in preventing HIV infection, as long as adherence is correct, he assures the Science Media Center Joseph Mallolashead of the HIV-AIDS unit of the Hospital Clínic-Barcelona.
It is estimated that in Spain there are some
14,000 users
in this form of prevention
It is estimated at no less than 25% the proportion of PrEP users who disappear from follow-up within 2 to 3 years, so it is clear that a subcutaneous reservoir with an antiretroviral that is effective for almost two years would be a great advance in the prevention of infection.
It is estimated that in Spain there are some 14,000 users of this form of prevention.
Researchers have designed a system based on medical-grade titanium implants that are inserted under the skin.
When inserted into non-human primates, the implants were safe and maintained protective concentrations of islatravir in blood and rectal and vaginal tissues for 20 months. The implants also fully protected the animals from human simian immunodeficiency virus infections after repeated exposures.
“Notably, our implant offers flexibility for combination with other antiretroviral drugs, such as tenofovir alafenamide or cabotegravir, and has potential for the addition of contraceptive drugs,” Pons-Faudoa says.
“It is a study of a high quality. The administration of long-acting antiretroviral drugs by the parenteral route has recently begun, and in the future it is hoped that of subcutaneous options in injection or in the form of reservoirs. A long-standing theoretical option is the one analyzed in the article: islatravir in a refillable subcutaneous reservoir with long action for almost two years with excellent results, Mallolas points out.
Islatravir in refillable subcutaneous reservoir with long action for almost two years with excellent results
The most important limitation is that islatravir is a drug still under investigation and that, according to preliminary data in human clinical trials, it has been shown to have certain toxicity problems in the form of leukopenia and lymphopenia, clarifies Mallolas. For this reason, new studies with lower doses of islatravir are currently under development to obtain the same efficacy without leukocyte toxicity.”
But you have to remember that PrEP not based exclusively in take a pillbut it is a prevention and care program for the people included in it.
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