TDF/FTC electrospun nanofibers for topical prevention of HIV transmission

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is still a problem for global health so, there is a strong need to develop effective microbicides that can be used safely to protect from infection during sexual intercourse. This pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) may be formulations containing oral or topical microbicides. Topical formulations have advantages as they are suitable for vaginal or rectal application and allow a higher local concentration of drug. It is recognized that the use of electrospun nanofibers for drug carriers is very promising in the biomedical field. So, the objective of this study is to develop a novel device for local application of antiretroviral microbicides enabling a controlled release of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and emtricitabine (FTC), based on electrospun polymeric nanofibers. The aim of this study is to encapsulate TDF and FTC into electrospun polymeric nanofibers. Chosen polymers were polycaprolactone (PCL) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA).