title: Application of nanotechnology for the development of microbicides.
abstract: The vaginal route is increasingly being considered for both local and systemic delivery of drugs, especially those unsuitable for oral administration. One of the opportunities offered by this route but yet to be fully utilised is the administration of microbicides. Microbicides have an unprecedented potential for mitigating the global burden from HIV infection as heterosexual contact accounts for most of the new infections occurring in sub-Saharan Africa, the region with the highest prevalent rates. Decades of efforts and massive investment of resources into developing an ideal microbicide have resulted in disappointing outcomes, as attested by several clinical trials assessing the suitability of those formulated so far. The highly complex and multi-level biochemical interactions that must occur among the virus, host cells and the drug for transmission to be halted means that a less sophisticated approach to formulating a microbicide e.g. conventional gels, etc may have to give way for a different formulation approach. Nanotechnology has been identified to offer prospects for fabricating structures with high capability of disrupting HIV transmission. In this review, predominant challenges seen in microbicide development have been highlighted and possible ways of surmounting them suggested. Furthermore, formulations utilising some of these highly promising nanostructures such as liposomes, nanofibres and nanoparticles have been discussed. A perspective on how a tripartite collaboration among governments and their agencies, the pharmaceutical industry and academic scientists to facilitate the development of an ideal microbicide in a timely manner has also been briefly deliberated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, Torrington Place, London WC1E 7JE, UK. University College London, School of Pharmacy, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK.
authors.forename: Francis
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Brako
authors.forename: Suntharavathanan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mahalingam
authors.forename: Bahijja
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rami-Abraham
authors.forename: Duncan Q M
authors.initials: DQ
authors.lastname: Craig
authors.forename: Mohan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Edirisinghe
mesh_terms: D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003274:Contraceptive Devices, Female; D004345:Drug Industry / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D005260:Female; D006077:Government Agencies / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008081:Liposomes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D057139:Nanofibers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry*; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry*; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D055818:Public-Private Sector Partnerships / Q000458:organization & administration; D014621:Vagina / Q000187:drug effects / Q000821:virology
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D008081:Liposomes