Next generation 3D-printed intravaginal ring for prevention of HIV and unintended pregnancy

Isabella C. Young, Priya Srinivasan, Roopali Shrivastava, Rima Janusziewicz, Allison Thorson, Mackenzie L. Cottrell, Rani S. Sellers, Craig Sykes, Amanda Schauer, Dawn Little, Kristen Kelley, Angela D.M. Kashuba, David Katz, Richard B. Pyles, J. Gerardo García-Lerma, Kathleen L. Vincent, James Smith, S. Rahima Benhabbour

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Globally, there are 20 million adolescent girls and young women living with HIV who have limited access to long-acting, effective, women-controlled preventative methods. Additionally, although there are many contraceptive methods available, globally, half of all pregnancies remain unintended. Here we report the first 3D-printed multipurpose prevention technology (MPT) intravaginal ring (IVR) for HIV prevention and contraception. We utilized continuous liquid interface production (CLIP™) to fabricate MPT IVRs in a biocompatible silicone-based resin. Etonogestrel (ENG), ethinyl estradiol (EE), and islatravir (ISL) were loaded into the silicone poly(urethane) IVR in a controlled single step drug loading process driven by absorption. ENG/EE/ISL IVR promoted sustained release of drugs for 150 days in vitro and 14 days in sheep. There were no adverse MPT IVR-related findings of cervicovaginal toxicity or changes in vaginal biopsies or microbiome community profiles evaluated in sheep. Furthermore, ISL IVR in macaques promoted sustained release for 28 days with ISL-triphosphate levels above the established pharmacokinetic benchmark of 50–100 fmol/106 PBMCs. The ISL IVR was found to be safe and well tolerated in the macaques with no observed mucosal cytokine changes or alterations in peripheral CD4 T-cell populations. Collectively, the proposed MPT IVR has potential to expand preventative choices for young women and girls.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number122260
JournalBiomaterials
Volume301
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2023

Keywords

  • 3D printing
  • Contraception
  • Drug delivery
  • HIV
  • Intravaginal rings

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biophysics
  • Bioengineering
  • Ceramics and Composites
  • Biomaterials
  • Mechanics of Materials

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