2023-06-28 21:26:22
Updated Wednesday, June 28, 2023 – 21:26
Antiretroviral implantation has shown its usefulness in non-human primates to prevent infection without the need to ingest drugs.
The HIV virus binding to a lymphocyte (CDC). THE WORLD
Pre-exposure prophylaxis, abbreviated as PrEP, is a prevention strategy that has been scientifically shown to be able to stop new HIV infections, as already indicated by the world health organization (OMS).
The usual regimen for PrEP is take a pill daily against the AIDS virus (HIV), within a comprehensive program that includes individualized preventive advice; control of adverse effects; the detection of possible consumption of toxins; updating vaccination, and screening for sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Since 2019, the National Health System (SNS) includes this prophylaxis for populations at risk of contracting the infection in its portfolio of services.
However, the success of the strategy requires strict compliance in taking the oral antiretroviral. they glimpse new optionssuch as injectable drugs of prolonged action that they can ensure adherence.
Another option investigated in this line of prolonged PrEP is that of subcutaneous implants. A new study published today in Science Translational Medicine shows the feasibility of a subcutaneous implant in non-human primates. that releases the drug in the concentrations necessary to protect against infection for at least 20 months.
In the study, carried out by the group of Alessandro Grattoni of the Houston Methodist Research Institutethey placed a rechargeable titanium implant with islatravir, a long-acting antiretroviral.
Drug concentrations were maintained for almost two years (more than 20 months) at adequate levels, both in blood and in rectal and vaginal tissues. “Taking into account that women are more vulnerable to HIV infection and need to maintain stricter adherence to PrEP than men to maintain preventative drug concentrations when taking oral PrEP, efficacy against vaginal transmission is crucial,” the researchers note.
The subcutaneous implant was shown to protect animals from simian immunodeficiency virus infection after repeated exposures.
The research marks a further step towards new forms of long-acting PrEP. Joseph Mallolashead of the HIV-AIDS unit of the Hospital Clnic, in Barcelona, in an assessment of the study comments on adherence to conventional prophylaxis that “the proportion of PrEP users who within 2 to 3 years they disappear from follow-upso it is clear that a subcutaneous reservoir with an antiretroviral that is effective for almost two years would be a great advance in preventing infection.”
However, Josep Mallolas points out in statements collected by SMC Spain, “the most important limitation is that islatravir is a drug still in the investigation phase and that, according to preliminary data in clinical trials in humans, it has shown to have ccertain toxicity problems in the form of leukopenia and lymphopenia. For this reason, new studies with lower doses of islatravir are currently under development to obtain the same efficacy without leukocyte toxicity.”
In this regard, the authors of the study write that “it should be noted that our implant offers flexibility to combine other antiretroviral drugssuch as tenofovir alafenamide or cabotegravir, and has potential for the addition of contraceptive drugs.”
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