An implant for HIV therapy has been developed. He supplies a person with medicines throughout the year.

Unfortunately, today is not 100%effective anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). However, quite effective drugs to contain and suppress the activity of the virus are still available. And we regularly inform you of new developments in this area, so subscribe to our Telegram channel in order not to miss anything. But often, all treatment methods require long-term medication, which, you see, is quite inconvenient. However, a number of American researchers have developed a subcutaneous implant, which can not only regularly deliver drugs to the human blood, but also do this for a whole year.

Let's hope that scientists can still find a cure for such a dangerous disease as HIV

How does an implant help cure HIV?

The new device is the result of seven yearscollaboration between the various departments of the University of North Carolina and the University of North Carolina. The implant consists of three elements - an organic solvent, a polymer and the preparations themselves. These three components form a liquid with a consistency similar to honey, which hardens after injection, since the solvent interacts with the body environment.

By adjusting the ratio of polymer to drugdrugs, you can achieve different rates of their release into the body. Today, there are technologies for the treatment and prevention of HIV using antiretroviral drugs, the regimen of which requires patients to take several drugs at the same time for several hours every day. And it is very difficult to implement, especially in remote regions.

Interesting: The CRISPR genome editor was first used to treat HIV

In a study published in the journal NatureCommunications, six antiretroviral drugs were tested, all of which retained their physical and chemical properties as part of the drug after it entered the body. All six drugs were able to maintain proper levels of concentration for almost one year. Researchers also argue that the implant can be easily removed surgically within one week after implantation and for several months after it. This situation may occur if the patient does not respond well to the implant. At a later stage, more serious surgery will be required.

HIV preventive treatment thatconsists of one injection once or twice a year, it will be very convenient for both doctors and patients. - says the main first author of the study, Dr. Rahima Benhabbur. This technology is promising not only for HIV therapy, but also for any other condition that requires daily medication. We are talking about a safe and long injection of drugs that does not require constant trips to the hospital.

At the same time, researchers also note thatthe effectiveness of the drug often depends not only on the fact of taking the medicine, but also on strict adherence to the regimen. A new implant removes these limitations. Of course, do not forget that the technology is only at the beginning of its path and it passed only the first stage of testing. In order for such developments to “go into the light”, a lot of research is needed.

Change in the cross-section of the implant after the release of the drug within 30 days after injection

In particular, experts are now focused on recruitinga large group of volunteers to identify the poles and minuses of technology compared with traditional methods of therapy. In addition, the new method of treatment has not yet been approved by the FDA (US Food and Drug Administration), and without this, not even one of the most promising methods can be widely used.