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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2022 Jan 1.
Published in final edited form as: Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2020 Nov 6;57(1):106220. doi: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2020.106220

LONG-ACTING DRUGS AND FORMULATIONS FOR THE TREATMENT AND PREVENTION OF HIV

Charles Flexner 1, Andrew Owen 2, Marco Siccardi 2, Susan Swindells 3
PMCID: PMC7790856  NIHMSID: NIHMS1650304  PMID: 33166693

Abstract

Long acting and extended-release formulations represent one of the most important approaches to improving the treatment and prevention of chronic HIV infection. Long acting small molecules and monoclonal antibodies have demonstrated potent anti-HIV activity in early and late stage clinical trials. Strategies to manage toxicities and falling drug concentrations after missed doses, as well as primary and secondary resistance to current drugs and monoclonal antibodies are important considerations. Long-acting injectable nanoformulations of the integrase inhibitor carbotegravir and the nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor rilpivirine were safe, well tolerated, and efficacious in large randomized Phase 3 studies. Regulatory approval for this 2-drug combination for HIV maintenance therapy was granted in Canada in 2020 and is expected in the U.S. during 2021. 4′-ethynyl-2-fluoro-2′-deoxyadenosine (islatravir) is a novel nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor in clinical development as a long acting oral drug and as a long-acting subcutaneous polymer implant. GS-6207 is a novel HIV capsid inhibitor that is injected subcutaneously every 3 months. Broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibodies have potent antiviral activity in early human trials; however, there is substantial baseline resistance, and rapid development of resistance to these antibodies if used as monotherapy. Limitations of these antiretroviral approaches include the management of toxicities, and prevention of drug resistance when these drugs are discontinued and drug concentrations are slowly reduced over time. These approaches appear to be especially attractive for patients complaining of pill fatigue, and for those experiencing HIV-associated stigma. As these formulations are shown to be safe, well-tolerated, and economical, they are likely to gain broader appeal.

Keywords: HIV, long-acting antiretroviral drugs, polymer implants, microneedle patches, broadly-neutralizing anti-HIV monoclonal antibodies

1. Introduction

Oral antiretroviral regimens are extremely effective at suppressing HIV with minimal toxicity. They offer the simplicity of once daily single-tablet dosing. However, long-acting regimens with infrequent dosing, for example weekly oral or long-acting (LA) parenterally administered agents, may be useful for treatment or prevention in circumstances where daily oral therapies are difficult to administer, and/or when adherence may be inadequate. In such circumstances, alternatives to oral therapy may be life-saving and reduce the transmission of infection to others.

Understanding patient preferences about receipt of HIV prevention or treatment by tablets, injections or implants are critical to the success of these novel delivery mechanisms. Several surveys, have explored patient attitudes to long acting antiretroviral dosing. Most have focused on use of LA antiretroviral therapy (ART) for prevention, and interest levels from respondents were high, mostly for reasons of convenience and longer duration of protection.1,2,3,4

In 2013, when LA ART was still in very early stages of development, a 400 patient survey found surprisingly high levels of enthusiasm for LA injectable ART for treatment.5 More than 80% of respondents indicated they would consider switching from oral to parenteral ART if the injection frequency were once per month; interest was less with more frequent injections. Since then, several other surveys have confirmed these findings, including some in special populations such as women with HIV infection,6 adolescents,7 and patients from predominantly minority communities.8 Participants in phase 2 and 3 clinical trials of LA ART therapy have reported very high levels of acceptance,9,10 but these results are not generalizable as they only included patients who had agreed to participate.

2. Long-acting antiretrovirals in clinical development

A number of investigational long acting agents and formulations are in advanced clinical development for treatment and prevention of HIV. This includes a 2-drug combination for intramuscular injection that is currently under regulatory review for approval in the U.S., as well as novel drugs for subcutaneous injection or implantation.

2.1. Cabotegravir and rilpivirine

Cabotegravir is an investigational HIV integrase inhibitor structurally similar to dolutegravir (DTG). A 200 mg/ml nanosuspension of cabotegravir (CBT-LA) given either intramuscularly or subcutaneously in HIV-uninfected volunteers produced plasma concentrations detectable for up to 52 weeks after a single dose.11 CBT-LA has been generally well-tolerated, although most subjects reported mild injection site reactions. Participants in the 96-week Phase 2b LATTE-2 Trial reported exceedingly high levels of satisfaction with intramuscular LA-cabotegravir administered with LA-rilpivirine every 4 or 8 weeks.12

Rilpivirine is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) approved as a component of daily oral combination therapy. A suspension of rilpivirine nanocrystals (RPV-LA) can be dosed intramuscularly every 4–8 weeks.13

Two Phase 3 registrational trials of the 2-drug combination of CBT-LA and RPV-LA were completed in 2019. In the ATLAS Trial, 705 treatment-experienced patients with virologic suppression on a daily oral ARV regimen were randomized to continue that regimen or switch to the combination of LA-CBT and LA-RPV given every 4 weeks. The injectable regimen required a 4-week lead in period of daily oral CBT and RPV to assure tolerability. At the end of 48 weeks, the injectable and oral regimens produced very similar suppression of HIV to undetectable levels and were well tolerated.14 The FLAIR trial was similar, but enrolled 629 treatment-naïve patients who received the daily oral combination of dolutegravir plus abacavir and lamivudine, and were then randomized to continue that regimen or switch to the combination of LA-CBT and LA-RPV every 4 weeks. The 48-week primary endpoint showed equal efficacy of the two regimens.15

In both ATLAS and FLAIR, 3 participants developed virologic failure with resistance to RPV, CBT, or both, despite having baseline sensitivity to both drugs and receiving injections of both drugs on schedule. All six participants who developed resistance had subtype A variants of HIV-1, and had concentrations of RPV and CBT in the lower quartile of study participants.14,15 This suggests that this 2-drug combination could be susceptible to the development of drug resistance in rare but definable settings.

A New Drug Application for the combination of LA-CBT and LA-RPV was submitted to the U.S. FDA in April, 2019, and a Complete Response Letter was issued on December 21, 2019. After review, the FDA determined that the sponsors had demonstrated that the combination was safe and effective, but expressed concerns about the Chemistry Manufacture and Control (CMC) components of the regulatory filing, and declined to approve these formulations. The manufacturers have reported that they are working to address these concerns, and hope to submit a revised NDA some time in 2020. The combination has been approved in Canada, and regulatory applications for these two formulations have also been submitted in Europe.

2.2. Islatravir

4′-ethynyl-2-fluoro-2′-deoxyadenosine (EFdA; MK8591; islatravir) is a potent antiretroviral nucleoside analog that retains its 3′-hydroxyl group, unlike any other approved nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI). The incorporation of islatravir-triphosphate into the enzyme active site blocks primer translocation and halts replication without causing direct chain termination, hence its designation as a nucleoside reverse transcriptase translocation inhibitor (NRTTI).16 EFdA is safe and well tolerated in animals, and has remarkable potency in treating or preventing HIV.17 The major resistance mutation selected by islatravir is M184V, the same as lamivudine and emtricitabine, although concentrations of the drug in vivo are generally high enough to prevent replication of HIV isolates that harbor this mutation.18

Islatravir can be incorporated into polymer implants like those approved for hormonal contraception and release effective concentrations in laboratory animals for more than a year.19 Phase 1 studies of a candidate islatrivir implant in HIV-seronegative human volunteers produced plasma drug concentrations higher than the antiviral target for 12 weeks, and modelling suggested the possibility of sustained antiretroviral concentrations for more than a year following a single implantation.20 Islatravir implants could be used for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) or combined with other ARVs for HIV primary treatment or maintenance therapy.

2.3. HIV Capsid inhibitor GS-6207

GS-6207 is a highly potent inhibitor of assembly of the HIV-1 capsid.21 Because the mechanism of action of this drug is unique, resistance mutations selected in vitro are distinct from those selected by any other ARV. Pre-existing resistance mutations were not found in 137 treatment-naïve patients, and 14 heavily treatment-experienced patients with virologic failure, suggesting that resistance mutations for this agent may reduce fitness.22

The pharmacokinetic properties of GS-6207 indicate that it is an excellent candidate for LA administration. A Phase 1 study in HIV-seronegative volunteers found that a single subcutaneous injection of a GS-6207 suspension at doses of 100, 300, or 450 mg produced mean plasma concentrations at or above the protein-adjusted EC95 for at least 12 weeks.23 In small numbers of HIV-infected volunteers not currently taking antiretroviral therapy, a single dose of GS-6207 at 50, 150, or 450 mg reduced mean plasma HIV RNA concentrations by 1.5–2.0 logs 10 days after administration, at which point oral therapy was instituted.24

2.4. Long-acting broadly-neutralizing anti-HIV monoclonal antibodies

HIV broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) were originally isolated from B-cell screening of HIV-infected individuals with high level anti-HIV neutralizing activity.25 They target specific antigens on the HIV external membrane glycoprotein gp120. In early clinical studies, bnAbs were generally well tolerated and suppressed viral replication, but were associated with rapid rebound and the development of resistance when given as monotherapy.26

A two-amino-acid substitution, termed LS for the two substituted amino acids, reduces Fc receptor binding of bnAbs and greatly increases their circulating half-life by inducing endosomal recycling. Two such modified antibodies, VRC01-LS and VRC07-LS, have plasma half-lives in human volunteers that should allow intravenous or possibly subcutaneous dosing every 3–6 months.27,28

Given the two-fold problems of primary resistance, and the promotion of secondary resistance if used as monotherapy, future bnAb studies are likely to involve combinations of bnAbs, or the combination of a bnAb with another LA ARV formulation. A trispecific bnAb, engineered to contain antigen-binding epitopes from three non-overlapping human bnAbs, protected macaques from challenge with SHIV,29 and is in Phase 1 human testing.

3. Overview of long acting drug delivery approaches

Current clinical and experimental LA technologies can be classified as oral, parenteral, transdermal or implantable approaches (Figure 1). Parenteral (intramuscular or subcutaneous) and implantable technologies have already proven clinically successful in other indications, while other approaches may be less invasive but are at earlier stages of development.

Figure 1.

Figure 1.

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Examples of long acting and extended release drug delivery technologies in preclinical and clinical development for the treatment and prevention of HIV.

Clinically-used injectables that are able to provide therapeutic drug exposure for two weeks or longer have been achieved mainly by oil solution, microsphere encapsulation, drug particle dispersions or in situ forming depots. Oil depot formulations are the simplest and cheapest to produce, but must be administered slowly and are frequently associated with pain that can last up to three months.30 Polymeric microsphere technologies offer much better control over drug release kinetics, but suffer from low drug loading that can negatively impact the volume for administration.30 In situ-forming depot technologies also utilize polymer materials but usually undergo conformational changes in the depot microenvironment that are important for controlling drug release.30

The advent of particle processing technologies able to generate nanoparticle suspensions has resulted in numerous long-acting injectable medicines over the past two decades. Since nanoparticles are composed almost entirely of drug with comparatively low amounts of polymer or surfactant stabilizer, higher drug loadings are possible than other approaches. Wet-bead milling has so far proven to be the most commercially successful approach in long-acting applications and underpins the rilpivirine and cabotegravir formulations discussed in Section 2.1.

Like injectables, implantable technologies have proven highly successful for contraception and are also used for local drug delivery in several indications.31 Implants can be classified as biodegradable/erodible or non-biodegradable, which has implications for whether this requires removal at the end of a dosing interval. Non- implants offer the advantage of zero-order drug release kinetics with a much more constant exposure over the dosing interval, while this is much harder to achieve for a biodegradable or erodible implant.

Investigators are also exploring devices to prolong the duration of exposure after oral administration. One such device that has been studied for antiretroviral drugs consists of six arms joined at a central elastomeric core that is folded into a capsule for oral administration. Subsequent to gastric dissolution of the capsule, the device opens to prevent it leaving the stomach. Controlled release of dolutegravir, rilpivirine and cabotegravir from such as device for seven days has been demonstrated in pigs.32

Long-acting transdermal administration via microarray (aka microneedle) patches has attracted much interest as a comparatively non-invasive drug delivery approach. Importantly, this approach does not require the user to wear the patch for the duration of the dosing interval. Rather, the patch may be worn for a short duration, and once removed the drug or formulation-containing needles remain within the dermis. Recent work has demonstrated seven days of exposure in rats via a dissolving microarray patch containing the nanocrystal formulation of rilpivirine, which was removed after the first 24 hours.33 It remains to be seen whether a sufficient amount of multiple drugs can be loaded within acceptably-sized patches to make the approach viable for long-acting antiretroviral delivery in humans.

4. Novel approaches to product and formulation identification

The quantitative determination of drug metabolism and pharmacokinetic (DMPK) properties of large numbers of drug candidates is a major challenge for the selection of the most promising drugs in the initial phases of long-acting formulation development. The identification of the relationship between drug specific properties (e.g geometrical, physicochemical and structural characteristics) and PK parameters of interests can inform the generation of Quantitative Structure Activity Relationship (QSAR) models, through which key parameters such as protein binding, tissue to plasma ratio, and volume of distribution and clearance can be estimated.34 QSAR can be integrated into mechanistic physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models providing a framework to simulate drug distribution from drug structural properties and therefore rationalize the selection of candidates.35

The strategic integration of computational modelling into LA formulation development programs can support the selection of suitable drug candidates, the characterization of sustainable formulations and routes of administration, dosing frequency, and bridging from pre-clinical data to human pharmacokinetics and the rationalization of formulation use in special populations. Examples of applications include the rational selection of drug candidates for long acting therapies,36 route of administration and technological platforms,37 potential expansion of drug dosing to special populations, and the management of complex clinical scenarios such as drug-drug interactions.38 The integration of viral dynamic equations within PBPK model supports a comprehensive simulation of drug concentration and their downstream effect on viral replication.39

The limitations of mechanistic modelling are primarily related to the limited understanding and quantitative description of the processes mediating absorption from LA formulations. Recent studies have highlighted the involvement of a variety of different molecular, cellular and physiological processes, which often lack detailed quantitative descriptions.40 Additionally, drug/formulation characteristics and route of administration can have a relevant influence in the definition of drug penetration through the lymphatic circulation and to date, a mechanistic based modelling approach has not been developed.

5. Challenges and opportunities

The addition of new methods of receiving antiretroviral prevention or treatment will transform the field and provide a welcome additional option for patients. Freedom from having to take daily oral therapy and from being reminded about having a highly stigmatized disease are sentiments reported by many survey recipients, and from patients in clinical practice. Those with adherence problems are also often interested in alternative methods of medication administration, but whether or not LA injections will help this problem remains to be seen; an NIH-funded study is underway to evaluate this issue for HIV treatment [NCT03635788].

Challenges include management of adverse effects, drug-drug interactions, use in pregnancy, and the potential for the development of resistance if injections are missed. Recent reports of the development of resistance during long-acting cabotegravir and rilpivirine treatment, with a possible increased risk of resistance in study participants with subtype A virus,14,15 suggest the potential for additional baseline virologic testing prior to the initiation of such regimens. Only topical or implanted drugs can be removed quickly in the event of an adverse reaction. There are also significant logistical challenges for HIV care providers – most patients on treatment with well controlled HIV disease may only need to be seen every 6 months, so accommodating monthly visits for injections and the accompanying administrative burden of maintaining inventory and record keeping will cause major disruptions to work flow.

Cabotegravir and rilpivirine injections each require a 2 mL injection into the gluteus medius, and cannot be self-administered. Alterative locations for receipt of long acting antiretroviral injections are under consideration, for example community pharmacies. Finally, the current version of long acting rilpivirine requires a cold chain which will create a significant barrier to any rollout into low and middle income countries, despite the potential high demand there also.41

6. Implications for other infectious diseases

The success of LA/ER formulations for HIV is likely to promote development of similar formulations for other infectious diseases. For example, a LA formulation of the anti-tuberculosis drug bedaquiline showed antimicrobial activity for up to 12 weeks after a single dose in a mouse model of TB.42 A recent study demonstrating the equivalence of a one-month combination of rifapentine and isoniazid to standard 9-month isoniazid treatment in HIV-infected patients with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) supports the potential value of LA formulations for this indication.43

LA antimalarials could prevent or treat this important infection and could be used in place of a vaccine for regional eradication. A nanoformulated version of atovaquone protected mice from challenge with Plasmodium berghei for up to four weeks after a single intramuscular injection.44

LA antivirals could also play a major role in the control of hepatitis virus infections. The tenofovir alafenamide implants described above could be used in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, although other LA antiretroviral formulations lack activity against HBV.45 Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is now responsible for more deaths in the U.S. annually than HIV. Recent analysis suggests that oral agents may be insufficient to control the HCV epidemic globally.46 If there were an effective 2-drug injectable combination of HCV direct-acting agents that could inhibit viral replication for 8 to 12 weeks, point-of-care testing could be combined with a single curative injection.46

7. Summary

The 2-drug combination of long-acting injectable cabotegravir and rilpivirine was approved in Canada during 2020, and is likely to be approved in the U.S. before the end of 2021, but a number of investigational long-acting ARV formulations are in clinical development. Challenges include managing side effects, drug-drug interactions, pregnancy, and long-lasting drug concentrations after discontinuation of the formulations that could lead to the development of drug resistance. These products are likely to revolutionize the treatment and prevention of HIV, and this approach to drug delivery holds great promise for other infectious diseases.

TABLE 1.

LONG ACTING DRUGS IN DEVELOPMENT FOR HIV PREVENTION AND TREATMENT BY INFUSION, INJECTION OR IMPLANT

ARV Class Agent Formulation Development Stage
NRTI Islatravir (MK-8591) Implant Phase I
TAF Implant Phase I/II (Px)
GS-9131 Implant Preclinical
NNRTI Rilpivirine Injectable Phase III/NDA
Elsulfavirine Injectable Preclinical
PI Atazanavir Injectable Preclinical
Ritonavir Injectable Preclinical
INSTI Cabotegravir Injectable Phase III/NDA, Phase II/III (Px)
Dolutegravir Implant Preclinical (Px)
Raltegravir Injectable Preclinical
Entry Inhibitors Ibalizumab Intravenous FDA Approved (Tx)
Leronlimab (PRO 140) Intravenous and Injectable Phase III
Albuvirtide Intravenous and injectable Approved in China
bNAbs (e.g., VRC01, VRC07) Intravenous Phase I/II/III
Combinectin Intravenous Phase I
Capsid Inhibitors GS-6207 Injectable Phase II
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ARV = antiretroviral; Px = prevention; Tx = treatment

Highlights.

  • Long-acting injectable or implantable antiretrovirals are an alternative to oral drugs

  • Long-acting carbotegravir and rilpivirine should be approved soon

  • Extended-release polymer implants are in development

  • Transcutaneous microarray patches are a novel drug delivery system

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Supported in part by NIH grant NIAID R24 AI118397, Long-Acting/Extended Release Antiretroviral Resource Program (LEAP), www.longactinghiv.org, awarded to Johns Hopkins University.

Footnotes

Publisher's Disclaimer: This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.

Competing Interests: C.F. reports serving as a paid consultant for Cipla Pharmaceuticals, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Merck Laboratories, Mylan Pharmaceuticals, and ViiV Healthcare, and research grant support from Gilead Sciences paid to his University.

Ethical Approval: Not required

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