Microbicide vaginal rings: Technological challenges and clinical development

Vaginal rings (VRs) are flexible, torus-shaped, polymeric devices designed to sustain delivery of pharmaceutical drugs to the vagina for clinical benefit. Following first report in a 1970 patent application, several steroid-releasing VR products have since been marketed for use in hormone replacemen...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Advanced drug delivery reviews 2016-08, Vol.103, p.33-56
Main Authors: Malcolm, R. Karl, Boyd, Peter J., McCoy, Clare F., Murphy, Diarmaid J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adherence
Anti-Infective Agents
Antiretrovirals
Contraceptive Devices, Female
Controlled release
Female
HIV Infections - prevention & control
HIV Infections - transmission
HIV microbicides
HIV prevention
Human immunodeficiency virus
Human immunodeficiency virus 1
Humans
Vaginal drug delivery
Vaginal rings
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Summary:Vaginal rings (VRs) are flexible, torus-shaped, polymeric devices designed to sustain delivery of pharmaceutical drugs to the vagina for clinical benefit. Following first report in a 1970 patent application, several steroid-releasing VR products have since been marketed for use in hormone replacement therapy and contraception. Since 2002, there has been growing interest in the use of VR technology for delivery of drugs that can reduce the risk of sexual acquisition of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), the causative agent of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Although no vaginally-administered product has yet been approved for HIV reduction/prevention, extensive research efforts are continuing and a number of VR devices offering sustained release of so-called ‘HIV microbicide’ compounds are currently being evaluated in late-stage clinical studies. This review article provides an overview of the published scientific literature within this important field of research, focusing primarily on articles published within peer-reviewed journal publications. Many important aspects of microbicide-releasing VR technology are discussed, with a particular emphasis on the technological, manufacturing and clinical challenges that have emerged in recent years. [Display omitted]
ISSN:0169-409X
1872-8294
DOI:10.1016/j.addr.2016.01.015