Advances in microbicide vaginal rings.
Vaginal ring devices capable of providing sustained/controlled release of incorporated actives are already marketed for steroidal contraception and estrogen replacement therapy. In recent years, there has been considerable interest in developing similar ring devices for the administration of microbicidal compounds to prevent vaginal HIV transmission. Intended to be worn continuously, such coitally independent microbicide rings are being developed to maintain effective vaginal microbicide concentrations over many weeks or months, thereby overcoming issues around timing of product application, user compliance and acceptability associated with more conventional semi-solid formulations. In this article, an overview of vaginal ring technologies is presented, followed by a review of recent advances and issues pertaining to their application for the delivery of HIV microbicides. This article forms part of a special supplement on presentations covering intravaginal rings, based on the symposium "Trends in Microbicide Formulations", held on 25 and 26 January 2010, Arlington, VA.
School of Pharmacy, Medical Biology Centre, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK. k.malcolm@qub.ac.uk
R Karl
RK
Malcolm
Karen-Leigh
KL
Edwards
Patrick
P
Kiser
Joseph
J
Romano
Thomas J
TJ
Smith
D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000592:standards / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003274:Contraceptive Devices, Female / Q000191:economics* / Q000592:standards* / Q000821:virology*; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D004304:Dosage Forms; D004335:Drug and Narcotic Control; D005260:Female; D006678:HIV / Q000187:drug effects*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D014621:Vagina / Q000187:drug effects / Q000821:virology
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D004304:Dosage Forms