U.S. patent application number 17/306573 was filed with the patent office on 2021-10-14 for self-assembled gels formed with anti-retroviral drugs, prodrugs thereof, and pharmaceutical uses thereof.
The applicant listed for this patent is The Brigham and Women's Hospital, Inc.. Invention is credited to Connor Francis Gallin, Nitin Joshi, Jeffrey M. Karp, Andrew John Pickering, Douglas Rioux, Nicholas Edward Sherman.
Application Number | 20210315912 17/306573 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005681485 |
Filed Date | 2021-10-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210315912 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Karp; Jeffrey M. ; et
al. |
October 14, 2021 |
SELF-ASSEMBLED GELS FORMED WITH ANTI-RETROVIRAL DRUGS, PRODRUGS
THEREOF, AND PHARMACEUTICAL USES THEREOF
Abstract
Self-assembled gels and methods of making thereof are described.
A selective range of ratios between an organic solvent and
optionally water, or an aqueous solution, allows for combinations
of gelators (such as GRAS amphiphiles or prodrug-based gelators),
co-gelators (such as anti-retrovirals), and solvents to form
self-supporting hydrogels or organogels. The resulting gels may be
used in methods of treating HIV and/or hepatitis.
Inventors: |
Karp; Jeffrey M.; (Chestnut
Hill, MA) ; Joshi; Nitin; (Quincy, MA) ;
Rioux; Douglas; (New Haven, CT) ; Sherman; Nicholas
Edward; (Rock Tavern, NY) ; Pickering; Andrew
John; (Ontario, CA) ; Gallin; Connor Francis;
(Boston, MA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
The Brigham and Women's Hospital, Inc. |
Boston |
MA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005681485 |
Appl. No.: |
17/306573 |
Filed: |
May 3, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16482664 |
Jul 31, 2019 |
11020410 |
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PCT/US18/16835 |
Feb 5, 2018 |
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17306573 |
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62454212 |
Feb 3, 2017 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61K 9/06 20130101; A61K
47/14 20130101; A61K 47/26 20130101; A61K 47/22 20130101; A61K
47/28 20130101; A61K 9/0019 20130101; A61K 31/675 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61K 31/675 20060101
A61K031/675; A61K 9/00 20060101 A61K009/00; A61K 9/06 20060101
A61K009/06; A61K 47/14 20060101 A61K047/14; A61K 47/22 20060101
A61K047/22; A61K 47/26 20060101 A61K047/26; A61K 47/28 20060101
A61K047/28 |
Claims
1-23. (canceled)
24. A formulation for oral administration comprising a
self-assembled gel, the self-assembled gel comprising one or more
gelators, wherein the one or more gelators are selected from
ascorbyl palmitate, triglycerol monostearate, sucrose palmitate,
alpha tocopherol acetate, cholesterol, lysophosphatidylcholine,
sorbitan monostearate, retinyl acetate, retinyl palmitate, or
mixtures thereof; one or more organic solvents; one or more
co-solvents selected from water or an aqueous solution; and one or
more therapeutic, prophylactic, and/or diagnostic agents, wherein
the gelators form ordered lamellar, vesicular, and/or nanofibrous
structures having the therapeutic, prophylactic and/or diagnostic
agent physically entrapped, encapsulated, or non-covalently
associated therewith.
25. The formulation for oral administration of the gel of claim 24,
wherein the one or more gelators are selected from the group
consisting ascorbyl palmitate, triglycerol monostearate, sucrose
palmitate, sorbitan monostearate, retinyl acetate, and retinyl
palmitate.
26. The formulation for oral administration of claim 24, wherein
the one or more gelators is ascorbyl palmitate.
27. The formulation for oral administration of claim 24, wherein
the one or more gelators is triglycerol monostearate.
28. The formulation for oral administration of claim 24, wherein
the one or more organic solvents are selected from the group
consisting of hexyl butyrate, glycerol, ethylene glycol, propylene
glycol, dipropylene glycol, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), acetone,
dimethylformamide (DMF), tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, acetonitrile,
alcohols, benzene, toluene, carbon tetrachloride, acetonitrile,
1,4-dioxane, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), chloroform, hexane,
mesitylene, and combinations thereof.
29. The formulation for oral administration of claim 24, wherein
the one or more organic solvents are present in less than about
50%, about 40%, about 30%, about 25%, about 20%, about 15%, or
about 10% by vol/vol of the total volume of the gel.
30. The formulation for oral administration of claim 24, wherein
the water is selected from the group consisting of distilled water,
de-ionized water, pure water, and ultrapure water.
31. The formulation for oral administration of claim 24, wherein
the aqueous solution is selected from the group consisting of
saline, phosphate buffered saline (PBS), Ringer's solution, and
isotonic sodium chloride.
32. The formulation for oral administration of claim 24, comprising
one or more therapeutic, prophylactic, and/or diagnostic agents
selected from the group consisting of proteins, anti-inflammatory
agents, steroids, contraceptives, antibiotics, immunosuppressants,
chemotherapeutics, sensitizing agents, immunomodulatory agents,
antibody fragments, cytokines, cells, stem cells, siRNA, vitamins,
and combination thereof.
33. The formulation for oral administration of claim 32, comprising
proteins selected from the group consisting of enzymes, antibodies,
growth factors, antigens, and peptides.
34. The formulation for oral administration of claim 32, comprising
immunomodulatory agents selected from the group consisting of
steroids, non-antiinflammatory agents, chemotherapeutics,
anesthetics, analgesics, anti-pyretic agents, anti-infectious
agents, antifungal agents, vitamins, therapeutic RNAs, microRNA,
PiRNA, ribozymes, and nucleotides encoding proteins or
peptides.
35. The formulation for oral administration of claim 24, comprising
diagnostic agents selected from the group consisting of
paramagnetic molecules, fluorescent compounds, magnetic molecules,
and radionuclides.
36. The formulation for oral administration of claim 24, comprising
particles of the self-assembled gel.
37. The formulation for oral administration of claim 36, wherein
the formulation is a suspension.
38. The formulation for oral administration of claim 24, wherein
the self-assembled gel is a xerogel.
39. The formulation for oral administration of claim 38, wherein
the xerogel is a powder.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims benefit of and priority to U.S.
Provisional Application No. 62/454,212, filed on Feb. 3, 2017,
which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] This invention was not made with government support.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The disclosed technology is generally in the field of
controlled delivery of drug, and more particularly, relates to
responsive delivery of anti-retrovirals and prodrugs thereof from
self-assembled gels.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Controlled release of many therapeutic agents can be
achieved only with oral formulations or through the use of
implantable pumps. This typically is effective only for systemic,
not local or targeted, delivery. Oral formulations typically cannot
provide delivery for more than 24 hours. Local and/or targeted
delivery allows for a higher concentration of therapeutic to be
administered without the risk of side effects present at high
concentrations. Formulations providing controlled prolonged release
can be used to provide more stable pharmacokinetic levels,
increased patient compliance, and reduce the number of times drug
must be administered.
[0005] Self-assembling gels which are stable in vivo for prolonged
and/or "smart" drug delivery are described in US2017/0000888.
Self-assembly refers to the formation of molecularly defined,
higher-ordered structures largely relying on non-covalent
interactions. Structures formed from self-assembly are capable of
entrapping molecules in solution during the assembly process,
resulting in injectable or topical carriers suitable for delivery
of hydrophobic and hydrophilic agents. It is difficult to
encapsulate very water insoluble or hydrophobic drugs in
hydrogels.
[0006] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a self-assembled gels, and processes for making thereof,
which can be used for delivery of hydrophobic or water insoluble
drugs such as anti-retroviral drugs.
[0007] It is another object of the present invention to provide
self-assembled gels for prolonged delivery of anti-retroviral drugs
in methods of treating patients in need thereof.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Hydrogel or organogel formulations have been prepared
incorporating anti-retroviral drugs. The formulations provide
controlled release of the drug after administration. Release can be
regulated through the presence of enzymes elevated as a function of
disease severity, through the use of enzyme cleavable linkages
between the drug and gelator self-assembling to form the gels. The
formulations can be provided in the form of gels, lyophilized for
administration in dried form which re-hydrates at the site of
administration or which is hydrated for administration, disrupted
into particles or dispersions, or co-administered with one or
mother additional therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agents.
In some cases, drug or drug prodrug/gelator may be initially
dissolved in a small quantity of a solvent such as
dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) or another GRAS organic solvent, then
resuspended in or diluted into an aqueous solution. The gel will
typically be filtered, centrifuged, dried or washed to remove the
initial solvent so that only a small residue is present in the
final formulation.
[0009] Examples demonstrate formation of tenofovir and tenofovir
derivative gels.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 shows the chemical structures of three different
tenofovir anti-retroviral variants.
[0011] FIG. 2 shows a non-limiting representation of GRAS
amphiphile gelator and tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) co-gelator
co-assembling into organogel or hydrogel.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a non-limiting scheme of a tenofovir-based prodrug
hydrogel which is enzymatically cleavable resulting in disassembly
of the gel fibers and release of active tenofovir followed by
uptake by immune cells.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a non-limiting scheme of a tenofovir-based prodrug
organogel which is enzymatically cleavable resulting in disassembly
of the gel fibers, as well as degradation of oil by esterases, and
release of tenofovir prodrug which is taken up by immune cells and
is enzymatically cleaved within the cell to release active
tenofovir.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a non-limiting scheme of a tenofovir prodrug which
is wet-milled in the presence of stabilizers to form wet-milled
nanoparticles from the prodrug. Dissolution in vivo results in
sustained release of the prodrug which is taken up by immune cells
and is enzymatically cleaved within the cell to release active
tenofovir.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a graph showing % cumulative release (y-axis) of
tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) versus time (x-axis) for two hydrogels:
60% (w/w) TAF 30% (w/v) ascorbyl palmitate (AP)-Propylene Glycol
(PG); and 30% (w/w) TAF 30% (w/v) AP-PG.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a graph showing % cumulative release (y-axis) of
tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) versus time (x-axis) for two
organogels: 45% (w/w) TAF 20% (w/v) triglycerol monostearate
(TG18)-Olive Oil; and 45% (w/w) TAF 20% (w/v) TG18-Castor Oil.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a graph showing % cumulative release (y-axis) of
tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) versus time (x-axis) for two
organogels: 60% (w/w) TAF 30% (w/v) triglycerol monostearate
(TG18)-Castor Oil; and 60% (w/w) TAF 30% (w/v) TG18:Cholesterol
(50:50 weight ratio)-Castor Oil.
[0018] FIG. 9 is a bar graph on TAF stability in hydrogels which
shows % tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) remaining (y-axis) versus time
(x-axis) in hydrogels stored for 1 week and 4 weeks at 4.degree.
C., room temperature, and 37.degree. C.
[0019] FIG. 10 is a bar graph on TAF stability in organogels which
shows % tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) remaining (y-axis) versus time
(x-axis) in organogels stored for 1 week and 4 weeks at 4.degree.
C., room temperature, and 37.degree. C.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
I. Definitions
[0020] The term "gelators" refer to molecules that can
self-assemble through non-covalent interactions, such as
hydrogen-bonding, van der Waals interactions, hydrophobic
interactions, ionic interactions, pi-pi stacking, or combinations
thereof, in one or more solvents. The gelators can form a gel by
rigidifying the solvent through, for example, capillary forces.
Gelators can include hydrogelators (e.g., gelators that form
hydrogels) and organo-gelators (e.g., gelators that form
organo-gels). In some embodiments, gelators can form both hydrogels
and organo-gels.
[0021] The term "co-gelator" refers to a molecule that can be a
non-gelator or a gelator and can become integrated within
self-assembled structures in at least a partially organized manner,
where a non-gelator is not capable of self-assembly on its own and
a gelator is capable of self-assembly.
[0022] The term "self-assembling" refers to the capability of
molecules to spontaneously assemble, or organize, to form a higher
ordered structure such as hydrogel or organo-gel in a suitable
environment.
[0023] The term "hydrogel" refers to three-dimensional (3-D)
networks of molecules covalently (e.g., polymeric hydrogels) or
non-covalently (e.g., self-assembled hydrogels) held together where
water is the major component. Gels can be formed via self-assembly
of gelators or via chemical crosslinking of gelators.
[0024] The term "organogel" refers to 3-D networks of molecules
covalently (e.g., polymeric organogels) or non-covalently (e.g.,
self-assembled organogels) held together where an organic solvent
is the major component. Gels can be formed via self-assembly of
gelators or via chemical crosslinking of gelators.
[0025] The term "co-assembly", refers to the process of spontaneous
assembly, or organization of at least two different types of
molecules to form a high ordered structure such as hydrogel or
organo-gel in a suitable environment, where molecules in the
structure are generally organized in an ordered manner.
[0026] The term "organic solvent" refers to any carbon-containing
substance that, in its liquid phase, is capable of dissolving a
solid substance. Exemplary organic solvents commonly used in
organic chemistry include toluene, tetrahydrofuran, acetone,
dichloromethane, and hexane.
[0027] The term "water-miscible" refers to a solvent that mixes
with water, in all proportions, to form a single homogenous liquid
phase. This includes solvents like dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO),
tetrahydrofuran, acetone, ethanol, methanol, and dioxane, but
generally excludes solvents such as hexane, oils, and ether. It
also excludes solvents that have some, very limited miscibility or
solubility in water such as ethyl acetate and dichloromethane,
which are practically considered immiscible.
[0028] The term "percent (%) encapsulated" or "encapsulation
percentage" is generally calculated as % encapsulated=weight of
encapsulated drug divided by weight of total of initial drug
(encapsulated+unencapsulated).times.100%.
[0029] The term "encapsulation efficiency (EE)" is generally
calculated as EE (%)=experimental/measured drug loading divided by
the theoretical drug loading.times.100%.
[0030] Gel weight percent (w/v): Total mass of gelator(s) as a
percentage of total solvent volume (i.e, organic solvent(s)+water
for hydrogels; organic solvents for organogels).
[0031] Drug loading efficiency (w/w): Mass of drug as a percentage
of total mass of gelator (amphiphile) and co-gelator, if
present.
[0032] The term "pharmaceutically acceptable," as used herein,
refers to compounds, materials, compositions, and/or dosage forms
which are, within the scope of sound medical judgment, suitable for
use in contact with the tissues of human beings and animals without
excessive toxicity, irritation, allergic response, or other
problems or complications commensurate with a reasonable
benefit/risk ratio, in accordance with the guidelines of agencies
such as the Food and Drug Administration.
[0033] The terms "biocompatible" and "biologically compatible," as
used herein, generally refer to materials that are, along with any
metabolites or degradation products thereof, generally non-toxic to
the recipient, and do not cause any significant adverse effects to
the recipient. Generally speaking, biocompatible materials are
materials which do not elicit a significant inflammatory or immune
response when administered to a patient.
[0034] The term "hydrophilic," as used herein, refers to the
property of having affinity for water. For example, hydrophilic
chemical compounds are primarily soluble in aqueous solutions
and/or have a tendency to absorb water. In general, the more
hydrophilic a chemical compound is, the more that compound tends to
dissolve in, mix with, or be wetted by water.
[0035] The term "hydrophobic," as used herein, refers to the
property of lacking affinity for or repelling water. For example,
the more hydrophobic chemical compounds, the more that the
hydrophobic compound tends to not dissolve in, not mix with, or not
be wetted by water.
[0036] The term "water insoluble drug," refers to drugs whose
aqueous solubility is less than 100 .mu.g/mL. The term "low
solubility drug," refers to drugs whose aqueous solubility is less
than 10 mg/mL.
[0037] The term "anti-retroviral drug," refers to drugs which
inhibit the reproduction of retroviruses (such as human
immunodeficiency virus). Exemplary anti-retrovirals include, but
are not limited to nucleoside analogs, or nucleoside reverse
transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), as discussed in more detail
below.
[0038] The term "therapeutic agent" refers to an agent that can be
administered to prevent or treat one or more symptoms of a disease
or disorder. Therapeutic agents can be nucleic acids or analogs
thereof, a small molecule (molecular weight of less than 2000
Daltons, more typically less than 1000 Daltons), peptidomimetic,
protein, or peptide, carbohydrate or sugar, lipid, or a combination
thereof. In some embodiments, cells or cellular materials may be
used as therapeutic agents.
[0039] The term "treating" or "preventing" a disease, disorder or
condition from occurring in an animal which may be predisposed to
the disease, disorder and/or condition but has not yet been
diagnosed as having it; inhibiting the disease, disorder or
condition, e.g., impeding its progress; and relieving the disease,
disorder, or condition, e.g., causing regression of the disease,
disorder and/or condition. Treating the disease or condition
includes ameliorating at least one symptom of the particular
disease or condition, even if the underlying pathophysiology is not
affected, such as treating the pain of a subject by administration
of an analgesic agent even though such agent does not treat the
cause of the pain.
[0040] The term "therapeutically effective amount" refers to an
amount of the therapeutic agent that, when incorporated into and/or
onto the self-assembled gel composition, produces some desired
effect at a reasonable benefit/risk ratio applicable to any
treatment. The effective amount may vary depending on such factors
as the disease or condition being treated, the particular
formulation being administered, the size of the subject, or the
severity of the disease or condition.
[0041] The terms "incorporated" refers to incorporating,
formulating, or otherwise including an agent into and/or onto a
composition, regardless of the manner by which the agent or other
material is incorporated.
[0042] A "derivative" of a parent compound is a compound that
possesses the same core as the parent compound, but differs from
the parent compound in bond order, the absence or presence of one
or more atoms and/or groups of atoms, or a combination thereof. The
derivative can differ from the parent compound, for example, in one
or more substituents present on the core, which may include one or
more atoms, functional groups, or substructures. In general, a
derivative can be formed, at least theoretically, from the parent
compound via chemical and/or physical processes.
[0043] A carboxylic acid is the group --COOH. Unless specified
otherwise the term carboxylic acid embraces both the free acid and
carboxylate salt.
[0044] An alkyl is the radical of saturated or unsaturated
aliphatic groups, including straight-chain alkyl, alkenyl, or
alkynyl groups, branched-chain alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl groups,
cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, or cycloalkynyl (alicyclic) groups, alkyl
substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, or cycloalkynyl groups, and
cycloalkyl substituted alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl groups. Unless
otherwise indicated, a straight chain or branched chain alkyl has
30 or fewer carbon atoms in its backbone (e.g., C.sub.1-C.sub.30
for straight chain, C.sub.3-C.sub.30 for branched chain), more
preferably 20 or fewer carbon atoms, more preferably 12 or fewer
carbon atoms, and most preferably 8 or fewer carbon atoms. In some
embodiments, the chain has 1-6 carbons. Likewise, preferred
cycloalkyls have from 3-10 carbon atoms in their ring structure,
and more preferably have 5, 6 or 7 carbons in the ring structure.
The ranges provided above are inclusive of all values between the
minimum value and the maximum value.
[0045] The term "alkyl" includes both "unsubstituted alkyls" and
"substituted alkyls", the latter of which refers to alkyl moieties
having one or more substituents replacing hydrogen on one or more
carbons of the hydrocarbon backbone. Such substituents include, but
are not limited to, halogen, hydroxyl, carbonyl (such as a
carboxyl, alkoxycarbonyl, formyl, or an acyl), thiocarbonyl (such
as a thioester, a thioacetate, or a thioformate), alkoxyl,
phosphoryl, phosphate, phosphonate, a phosphinate, amino, amido,
amidine, imine, cyano, nitro, azido, sulfhydryl, alkylthio,
sulfate, sulfonate, sulfamoyl, sulfonamido, sulfonyl, heterocyclyl,
aralkyl, or an aromatic or heteroaromatic moiety.
[0046] Unless the number of carbons is otherwise specified, "lower
alkyl" refers to an alkyl group having from one to ten carbons,
more preferably from one to six carbon atoms, in its backbone
structure. Likewise, "lower alkenyl" and "lower alkynyl" have
similar chain lengths. Preferred alkyl groups are lower alkyls.
[0047] The alkyl groups may also contain one or more heteroatoms
within the carbon backbone. Examples include oxygen, nitrogen,
sulfur, and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the alkyl
group contains between one and four heteroatoms.
[0048] Alkenyl and alkynyl refer to unsaturated aliphatic groups
containing one or more double or triple bonds analogous in length
(e.g., C.sub.2-C.sub.30) and possible substitution to the alkyl
groups described above.
[0049] Aryl refers to 5-, 6- and 7-membered aromatic rings. The
ring may be a carbocyclic, heterocyclic, fused carbocyclic, fused
heterocyclic, bicarbocyclic, or biheterocyclic ring system,
optionally substituted as described above for alkyl. Broadly
defined, "Ar", as used herein, includes 5-, 6- and 7-membered
single-ring aromatic groups that may include from zero to four
heteroatoms. Examples include, but are not limited to, benzene,
pyrrole, furan, thiophene, imidazole, oxazole, thiazole, triazole,
pyrazole, pyridine, pyrazine, pyridazine, and pyrimidine. Those
aryl groups having heteroatoms in the ring structure may also be
referred to as "heteroaryl", "aryl heterocycles", or
"heteroaromatics". The aromatic ring can be substituted at one or
more ring positions with such substituents as described above, for
example, halogen, azide, alkyl, aralkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl,
cycloalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxyl, amino, nitro, sulfhydryl, imino,
amido, phosphonate, phosphinate, carbonyl, carboxyl, silyl, ether,
alkylthio, sulfonyl, sulfonamido, ketone, aldehyde, ester,
heterocyclyl, aromatic or heteroaromatic moieties, --CF.sub.3, and
--CN. The term "Ar" also includes polycyclic ring systems having
two or more cyclic rings in which two or more carbons are common to
two adjoining rings (the rings are "fused rings") wherein at least
one of the rings is aromatic, e.g., the other cyclic rings can be
cycloalkyls, cycloalkenyls, cycloalkynyls, aryls and/or
heterocycles, or both rings are aromatic.
[0050] Alkylaryl refers to an alkyl group substituted with an aryl
group (e.g., an aromatic or hetero aromatic group).
[0051] Heterocycle or heterocyclic refers to a cyclic radical
attached via a ring carbon or nitrogen of a monocyclic or bicyclic
ring containing 3-10 ring atoms, and preferably from 5-6 ring
atoms, containing carbon and one to four heteroatoms each selected
from non-peroxide oxygen, sulfur, and N(Y) wherein Y is absent or
is H, O, (C.sub.1-4) alkyl, phenyl or benzyl, and optionally
containing one or more double or triple bonds, and optionally
substituted with one or more substituents. The term "heterocycle"
also encompasses substituted and unsubstituted heteroaryl rings.
Examples of heterocyclic ring include, but are not limited to,
benzimidazolyl, benzofuranyl, benzothiofuranyl, benzothiophenyl,
benzoxazolyl, benzoxazolinyl, benzthiazolyl, benztriazolyl,
benztetrazolyl, benzisoxazolyl, benzisothiazolyl, benzimidazolinyl,
carbazolyl, 4aH-carbazolyl, carbolinyl, chromanyl, chromenyl,
cinnolinyl, decahydroquinolinyl, 2H,6H-1,5,2-dithiazinyl,
dihydrofuro[2,3-b]tetrahydrofuran, furanyl, furazanyl,
imidazolidinyl, imidazolinyl, imidazolyl, 1H-indazolyl, indolenyl,
indolinyl, indolizinyl, indolyl, 3H-indolyl, isatinoyl,
isobenzofuranyl, isochromanyl, isoindazolyl, isoindolinyl,
isoindolyl, isoquinolinyl, isothiazolyl, isoxazolyl,
methylenedioxyphenyl, morpholinyl, naphthyridinyl,
octahydroisoquinolinyl, oxadiazolyl, 1,2,3-oxadiazolyl,
1,2,4-oxadiazolyl, 1,2,5-oxadiazolyl, 1,3,4-oxadiazolyl,
oxazolidinyl, oxazolyl, oxindolyl, pyrimidinyl, phenanthridinyl,
phenanthrolinyl, phenazinyl, phenothiazinyl, phenoxathinyl,
phenoxazinyl, phthalazinyl, piperazinyl, piperidinyl, piperidonyl,
4-piperidonyl, piperonyl, pteridinyl, purinyl, pyranyl, pyrazinyl,
pyrazolidinyl, pyrazolinyl, pyrazolyl, pyridazinyl, pyridooxazole,
pyridoimidazole, pyridothiazole, pyridinyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl,
pyrrolidinyl, pyrrolinyl, 2H-pyrrolyl, pyrrolyl, quinazolinyl,
quinolinyl, 4H-quinolizinyl, quinoxalinyl, quinuclidinyl,
tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, tetrahydroquinolinyl,
tetrazolyl, 6H-1,2,5-thiadiazinyl, 1,2,3-thiadiazolyl,
1,2,4-thiadiazolyl, 1,2,5-thiadiazolyl, 1,3,4-thiadiazolyl,
thianthrenyl, thiazolyl, thienyl, thienothiazolyl, thienooxazolyl,
thienoimidazolyl, thiophenyl and xanthenyl.
[0052] Heteroaryl refers to a monocyclic aromatic ring containing
five or six ring atoms containing carbon and 1, 2, 3, or 4
heteroatoms each selected from non-peroxide oxygen, sulfur, and
N(Y) where Y is absent or is H, O, (C.sub.1-C.sub.8) alkyl, phenyl,
or benzyl. Non-limiting examples of heteroaryl groups include
furyl, imidazolyl, triazolyl, triazinyl, oxazoyl, isoxazoyl,
thiazolyl, isothiazoyl, pyrazolyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazinyl, tetrazolyl,
pyridyl, (or its N-oxide), thienyl, pyrimidinyl (or its N-oxide),
indolyl, isoquinolyl (or its N-oxide), quinolyl (or its N-oxide)
and the like. The term "heteroaryl" can include radicals of an
ortho-fused bicyclic heterocycle of about eight to ten ring atoms
derived therefrom, particularly a benz-derivative or one derived by
fusing a propylene, trimethylene, or tetramethylene diradical
thereto. Examples of heteroaryl include, but are not limited to,
furyl, imidazolyl, triazolyl, triazinyl, oxazoyl, isoxazoyl,
thiazolyl, isothiazoyl, pyraxolyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazinyl, tetrazolyl,
pyridyl (or its N-oxide), thientyl, pyrimidinyl (or its N-oxide),
indolyl, isoquinolyl (or its N-oxide), quinolyl (or its N-oxide),
and the like.
[0053] Halogen refers to fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or
iodine.
[0054] The term "substituted" refers to all permissible
substituents of the compounds described herein. In the broadest
sense, the permissible substituents include acyclic and cyclic,
branched and unbranched, carbocyclic and heterocyclic, aromatic and
nonaromatic substituents of organic compounds. Illustrative
substituents include, but are not limited to, halogens, hydroxyl
groups, or any other organic groupings containing any number of
carbon atoms, preferably 1-14 carbon atoms, and optionally include
one or more heteroatoms such as oxygen, sulfur, or nitrogen
grouping in linear, branched, or cyclic structural formats.
Representative substituents include alkyl, substituted alkyl,
alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, phenyl,
substituted phenyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substituted
heteroaryl, halo, hydroxyl, alkoxy, substituted alkoxy, phenoxy,
substituted phenoxy, aroxy, substituted aroxy, alkylthio,
substituted alkylthio, phenylthio, substituted phenylthio,
arylthio, substituted arylthio, cyano, isocyano, substituted
isocyano, carbonyl, substituted carbonyl, carboxyl, substituted
carboxyl, amino, substituted amino, amido, substituted amido,
sulfonyl, substituted sulfonyl, sulfonic acid, phosphoryl,
substituted phosphoryl, phosphonyl, substituted phosphonyl,
polyaryl, substituted polyaryl, C.sub.3-C.sub.20 cyclic,
substituted C.sub.3-C.sub.20 cyclic, heterocyclic, substituted
heterocyclic, aminoacid, peptide, and polypeptide groups.
[0055] Heteroatoms, such as nitrogen, may have hydrogen
substituents and/or any permissible substituents of organic
compounds described herein that satisfy the valences of the
heteroatoms. "Substitution" or "substituted" includes the implicit
proviso that such substitution is in accordance with permitted
valence of the substituted atom and the substituent, and that the
substitution results in a stable compound, i.e. a compound that
does not spontaneously undergo transformation such as by
rearrangement, cyclization, elimination, etc.
[0056] "Pharmaceutically acceptable salt", as used herein, refers
to derivatives of the anti-retroviral compounds (or prodrugs
thereof) described herein where the parent compound is modified by
making acid or base salts thereof. Example of pharmaceutically
acceptable salts include but are not limited to mineral or organic
acid salts of basic residues such as amines; and alkali or organic
salts of acidic residues such as carboxylic acids. The
pharmaceutically acceptable salts include the conventional
non-toxic salts or the quaternary ammonium salts of the parent
compound formed, for example, from non-toxic inorganic or organic
acids. Such conventional non-toxic salts include those derived from
inorganic acids such as hydrochloric, hydrobromic, sulfuric,
sulfamic, phosphoric, and nitric acids; and the salts prepared from
organic acids such as acetic, propionic, succinic, glycolic,
stearic, lactic, malic, tartaric, citric, ascorbic, pamoic, maleic,
hydroxymaleic, phenylacetic, glutamic, benzoic, salicylic,
sulfanilic, 2-acetoxybenzoic, fumaric, tolunesulfonic,
naphthalenesulfonic, methanesulfonic, ethane disulfonic, oxalic,
and isethionic salts.
[0057] The pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the anti-retroviral
compounds (or prodrugs thereof) can be synthesized from the parent
compound, which contains a basic or acidic moiety, by conventional
chemical methods. Generally, such salts can be prepared by reacting
the free acid or base forms of these compounds with a
stoichiometric amount of the appropriate base or acid in water or
in an organic solvent, or in a mixture of the two; generally,
non-aqueous media like ether, ethyl acetate, ethanol, isopropanol,
or acetonitrile are preferred. Lists of suitable salts are found in
Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 20th ed., Lippincott Williams
& Wilkins, Baltimore, Md., 2000, p. 704; and "Handbook of
Pharmaceutical Salts: Properties, Selection, and Use," P. Heinrich
Stahl and Camille G. Wermuth, Eds., Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, 2002.
[0058] Numerical ranges disclosed herein disclose individually each
possible number in such range, as well as any sub-ranges and
combinations of sub-ranges encompassed therein. For example, a
carbon range (i.e., C.sub.1-C.sub.10) is intended to disclose
individually every possible carbon value and/or sub-range
encompassed within. For example, a carbon length range of
C.sub.1-C.sub.10 discloses C.sub.1, C.sub.2, C.sub.3, C.sub.4,
C.sub.5, C.sub.6, C.sub.7, C.sub.8, C.sub.9, and C.sub.10, as well
as discloses sub-ranges encompassed within, such as
C.sub.2-C.sub.9, C.sub.3-C.sub.8, C.sub.1-C.sub.5, etc. Similarly,
an integer value range of 1-10 discloses the individual values of
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 10, as well as sub-ranges encompassed
within. Further, a concentration range or weight percent range or
volume percent range, such as from 1% to 2% by weight of the
formulation, discloses the individual values and fractions thereof,
such as 1%, 1.1%, 1.2%, 1.32%, 1.48% etc., as well as sub-ranges
encompassed within.
[0059] "GRAS" is an acronym for the phrase Generally Recognized As
Safe. Under sections 201(s) and 409 of the Federal Food, Drug, and
Cosmetic Act (the Act), any substance that is intentionally added
to food is a food additive, that is subject to premarket review and
approval by FDA, unless the substance is generally recognized,
among qualified experts, as having been adequately shown to be safe
under the conditions of its intended use, or unless the use of the
substance is otherwise excepted from the definition of a food
additive. Under sections 201(s) and 409 of the Act, and FDA's
implementing regulations in 21 CFR 170.3 and 21 CFR 170.30, the use
of a food substance may be GRAS either through scientific
procedures or, for a substance used in food before 1958, through
experience based on common use in food Under 21 CFR 170.30(b),
general recognition of safety through scientific procedures
requires the same quantity and quality of scientific evidence as is
required to obtain approval of the substance as a food additive.
General recognition of safety through scientific procedures is
based upon the application of generally available and accepted
scientific data, information, or methods, which ordinarily are
published, as well as the application of scientific principles, and
may be corroborated by the application of unpublished scientific
data, information, or methods. The database of compounds meeting
the requirements defined by 21 CFR is found in Title 21: Food and
Drugs, Part 184.
II. Self-Assembled Gel for Delivery of Agents Such as
Anti-Retrovirals
[0060] A. Gelators
[0061] A gelator is an amphiphilic compound. This may be formed by
binding a hydrophobic compound to a hydrophilic compound, or a
hydrophilic compound to a hydrophobic compound, to form an
amphiphilic material. A compound such as a therapeutic agent may be
bound to an amphiphilic material to form a gelator for delivery of
the agent.
[0062] 1. GRAS Amphiphiles (Gelators)
[0063] Representative GRAS amphiphilic gelators are ascorbyl
alkanoate, sorbitan alkanoate, triglycerol monoalkanoate, sucrose
alkanoate, glycocholic acid, or any combination thereof.
[0064] The alkanoate can include a hydrophobic C.sub.1-C.sub.22
alkyl (e.g., acetyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, caprylyl,
capryl, lauryl, myristyl, palmityl, stearyl, arachidyl, or behenyl)
bonded via a labile linkage (e.g., an ester, a carbamate, a
thioester and an amide linkage) to an ascorbyl, sorbitan,
triglycerol, or sucrose molecule. For example, the ascorbyl
alkanoate can include ascorbyl palmitate, ascorbyl decanoate,
ascorbyl laurate, ascorbyl caprylate, ascorbyl myristate, ascorbyl
oleate, or any combination thereof. The sorbitan alkanoate can
include sorbitan monostearate, sorbitan decanoate, sorbitan
laurate, sorbitan caprylate, sorbitan myristate, sorbitan oleate,
or any combination thereof. The triglycerol monoalkanoate can
include triglycerol monostearate, triglycerol monopalmitate,
triglycerol monodecanoate, triglycerol monolaurate, triglycerol
monocaprylate, triglycerol monomyristate, triglycerol monooleate,
or any combination thereof. The sucrose alkanoate can include
sucrose palmitate, sucrose decanoate, sucrose laurate, sucrose
caprylate, sucrose myristate, sucrose oleate, or any combination
thereof.
[0065] In some embodiments, the GRAS amphiphile gelators include
ascorbyl palmitate, triglycerol monostearate, sorbitan
monostearate, triglycerol monopalmitate, sucrose palmitate,
glycocholic acid, or combinations thereof.
[0066] Representative low molecular weight GRAS amphiphile gelators
include vitamin precursors such as ascorbyl palmitate (vitamin C
precursor), retinyl acetate (vitamin A precursor), and
alpha-tocopherol acetate (vitamin E precursor).
[0067] In some forms, a GRAS amphiphile gelator is formed by
synthetically conjugating one or more saturated or unsaturated
hydrocarbon chains having C.sub.1 to C.sub.30 groups with a low
molecular weight, generally hydrophilic compound, through
esterification or a carbamate, anhydride, and/or amide linkage. The
range C.sub.1 to C.sub.30 includes C.sub.1, C.sub.2, C.sub.3,
C.sub.4, C.sub.5, C.sub.6, C.sub.7, C.sub.8, C.sub.9, C.sub.10,
C.sub.11, C.sub.12, C.sub.13, C.sub.14, C.sub.15, C.sub.16,
C.sub.17, Cis, C.sub.19 etc. up to C.sub.30 as wells as ranges
falling within C.sub.1 to C.sub.30, for example, C.sub.1 to
C.sub.29, C.sub.2 to C.sub.30, C.sub.3 to C.sub.28, etc.
[0068] Typically, a viscous hydrogel which is stable to inversion
(e.g., resists flow when inverted) is formed by including greater
than 3%, 4%, 5% (wt/vol) or more gelators in a liquid medium. The
gels can include, independently, from about 0.01 (e.g., from about
0.05, from about 0.5, from about one, from about two, from about
three, from about five, from about 10, or about from 15) to about
40 percent (to about 40, to about 30, to about 20, to about 15, to
about 10, to about five, to about three, to about two, to about
one, to about 0.5, to about 0.05) of each of the GRAS amphiphile
gelators by weight per volume. It is important that the gelators
are completely dissolved in solvent prior to self-assembly. This
may be achieved by admixing with vortexing in an aqueous solution,
or by dissolving in a small amount of organic solvent, then
diluting into an aqueous solution. The gelators tend to form
nanostructures, fibers, micelles, and other solid forms when they
self-assemble. These are usually washed by filtration and/or
centrifugation, then the washed nanostructures suspended in aqueous
solution to form a stable hydrogel or into an organic solvent to
form a stable organogel.
[0069] In some embodiments, the self-assembled gel compositions
described include an enzyme-cleavable, generally recognized as safe
(GRAS) first gelator having a molecular weight of 2500 or less and
a non-independent second gelator that is also a GRAS agent.
Non-independent gelators do not form self-supporting gel at the
concentration that would typically form self-supporting gel if
combined with an enzyme-cleavable GRAS gelator. Exemplary
non-independent second gelators include alpha tocopherol acetate,
retinyl acetate, and retinyl palmitate. The non-independent
gelators co-assemble with the GRAS first gelators to form the
self-assembled gels.
[0070] The gels can include, independently, from about three to a
maximum of about 30-40 percent, more preferably about 4% to about
10% by weight gelator per volume of gel.
[0071] The gels can also include a co-gelator which can become
integrated within self-assembled structures in at least a partially
organized manner, although the non-gelator is not capable of
self-assembly on its own and a gelator is capable of self-assembly.
Exemplary co-gelator are described in the examples below. Others
include tenofovir alafenamide, phospholipids and sterols, for
example, cholesterol.
[0072] B. Anti-Retroviral Agents and Prodrugs Thereof (Co-Gelators
or Gelators)
[0073] An estimated 33 million people are infected with HIV
worldwide. In the United States, more than 1.2 million people have
HIV infection, and almost 1 in 7 (14%) are unaware of their
infection. The estimated incidence of HIV in the United States has
remained stable in recent years, at about 50,000 new infections
occurring each year. Significant advances in antiretroviral therapy
have been made since the introduction of zidovudine (AZT) in
1987.
[0074] With the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy
(HAART), HIV-1 infection is now manageable as a chronic disease in
patients who have access to medication and who achieve durable
virologic suppression. HAART provides effective treatment options
for treatment-naive and treatment-experienced patients. Six classes
of antiretroviral agents currently exist, as follows:
[0075] Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs)
[0076] Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs)
[0077] Protease inhibitors (PIs)
[0078] Integrase inhibitors (INSTIs)
[0079] Fusion inhibitors (FIs)
[0080] Chemokine receptor antagonists (CCR5 antagonists)
[0081] Each class targets a different step in the viral life cycle
as the virus infects a CD4+ T lymphocyte or other target cell. The
use of these agents in clinical practice is largely dictated by
their ease or complexity of use, side-effect profile, efficacy
based on clinical evidence, practice guidelines, and clinician
preference.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Classification and Summary of US
FDA-Approved Antiretroviral Agents Name Dosage Form(s) Adult Dose
Adverse Events Nucleoside reverse transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs)
Abacavir (Ziagen).sup.h 300-mg tablet; 600 mg PO qd or
Hypersensitivity reaction (may include fever, rash, nausea,
20-mg/mL oral solution 300 mg PO bid vomiting, diarrhea, malaise,
shortness of breath, cough, Take without regard to pharyngitis);
patients positive for HLA-B*5701 are at meals highest risk for
hypersensitivity (perform HLA screening before initiating)
Didanosine (Videx, 125-mg, 200-mg, <60 kg: 250 mg PO qd
Peripheral neuropathy, pancreatitis, nausea, lactic acidosis Videx
EC).sup.h 250-mg, 400-mg Take 30 min ac or 2 hr pc delayed-released
capsule; Oral solution: Divide 10-mg/mL powder daily dose bid for
solution Emtricitabine 200-mg capsule; 200 mg PO qd Minimal
toxicity, hyperpigmentation (Emtriva).sup.h 10-mg/mL oral solution
(capsule) or 240 mg (24 mL) oral solution PO qd Take without regard
to meals Lamivudine (Epivir).sup.h 150-mg, 300-mg tablet; 150-mg,
300-mg tablet; Minimal toxicity, severe acute exacerbation of
hepatitis 10-mg/mL oral solution 10-mg/mL oral solution may occur
with HBV-coinfection upon discontinuation Stavudine (Zerit).sup.h
15-mg, 20-mg, 30-mg, >60 kg: 40 mg PO bid Peripheral neuropathy,
pancreatitis, lactic acidosis, 40-mg capsule; <60 kg: 30 mg PO
bid lipoatrophy, hyperlipidemia 1-mg/mL oral solution Take without
regard to meals Tenofovir DF 300-mg tablet 300 mg PO qd Nausea,
vomiting, diarrhea, headache, asthenia, renal (Viread).sup.h Take
without regard to insufficiency meals Zalcitabine (Hivid) 0.375-mg,
0.75-mg tablet 0.75 mg PO tid Peripheral neuropathy, pancreatitis,
lactic acidosis, Product discontinued stomatitis Zidovudine 300-mg
tablet; 100-mg 300 mg PO bid or Nausea, vomiting, headache,
asthenia, anemia, neuropenia (Retrovir).sup.h capsule; 200 mg PO
tid 10-mg/mL oral solution; Take without regard to 10-mg/mL
intravenous meals solution Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase
inhibitors (NNRTIs) Delavirdine 100-mg, 200-mg tablets 400 mg PO
tid Rash, headache (Rescriptor) Note: Discontinued in the U.S. with
estimated availability for 100-mg tablets until October 2018 and
for 200-mg tablets until February 2020 Efavirenz (Sustiva) 600-mg
tablet; 600 mg PO qd Rash, CNS (eg, somnolence, vivid dreams,
confusion, 50-mg, 200-mg capsule Take on empty stomach visual
hallucinations), hyperlipidemia to decrease adverse effects
Etravirine 25-mg, 100-mg, 200-mg 200 mg PO bid following Rash,
nausea (Intelence).sup.d tablets a meal Nevirapine 200-mg tablet;
400 mg 200 mg PO bid.sup.a Rash, hepatitis (Viramune, XR tablet;
XR: 400 mg PO qd Viramune XR) 10-mg/mL suspension Take without
regard to meals Rilpivirine (Edurant) 25-mg tablet 25 mg PO qd with
a meal Depressive disorders, insomnia, headache, rash Protease
inhibitors (PIs) Atazanavir (Reyataz) 100-mg, 150-mg, 400 mg PO qd
or Indirect hyperbilirubinemia, prolonged PR interval, 200-mg,
300-mg capsules 300 mg + ritonavir 100 hyperglycemia, skin rash
(20%), hyperlipidemia 50-mg single packet oral mg PO qd powder Take
with food Darunavir (Prezista) 75-mg, 150-mg, 300-mg, 800 mg qd +
ritonavir Rash, nausea, diarrhea, hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia
400-mg, 600-mg tablets 100 mg PO qd.sup.b or 600 mg bid + ritonavir
100 mg PO bid Take with food Fosamprenavir 700-mg tablet; 700 mg
bid + ritonavir Rash, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hyperlipidemia,
(Lexiva) 50-mg/mL oral 100 mg PO bid or 1400 hyperglycemia
suspension mg PO bid or 1400 mg + ritonavir 100-200 mg PO qd.sup.b
Suspension: Take without food Boosted with RTV: Take with food
Indinavir (Crixivan) 100-mg, 200-mg, 400-mg 800 mg PO q8h Take 1 h
Nephrolithiasis, nausea, indirect hyperbilirubinemia, capsules ac
or 2 h pc; may take hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia with skim milk or
low-fat meal 800 mg PO bid + ritonavir 100-200 mg PO bid without
regard for meals Lopinavir/ritonavir 100-mg/25-mg, 200- 400 mg/100
mg PO bid Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, asthenia, hyperlipidemia,
(Kaletra) mg/50-mg tablets; or hyperglycemia 80-mg/20-mg per mL
oral 800 mg/200 mg PO qd.sup.b solution Tablet: Take without regard
to meals Nelfinavir (Viracept) 250-mg, 625-mg tablets, 750 mg PO
tid Diarrhea, hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia 50 mg/g oral powder
(Nelfinavir cannot be boosted) Take with food Ritonavir (Norvir)
100-mg tablet; 100-mg Nonboosting dose Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea,
asthenia, hyperlipidemia, oral soft gelatin capsule; (Ritonavir
used as sole paresthesias, hyperglycemia 80-mg/mL oral solution
protease inhibitor): 600 mg bid.sup.c Tablet: Take with food
Saquinavir (Invirase) 500-mg tablet; 1000 mg + ritonavir 100
Nausea, diarrhea, headache, hyperlipidemia, 200-mg hard gelatin mg
PO bid hyperglycemia, PR and QT interval prolongation capsule
Unboosted saquinavir is not recommended Take with food, or within 2
h pc Tipranavir (Aptivus).sup.d 250-mg soft gelatin 500 mg +
ritonavir 200 Hepatotoxicity, rash, hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia,
capsule mg PO bid without intracranial hemorrhage (rare cases
reported) 100-mg/mL oral solution regard to meals Unboosted
tipranavir is not recommended Integrase inhibitors (II) Raltegravir
400-mg tablet Isentress with rifampin: Nausea, diarrhea, headache,
CK elevations, (Isentress, Isentress 600-mg tablet 800 mg PO bid
myopathy/rhabdomyolysis (rare) HD) Isentress HD: 1200 mg PO once
daily (for use in treatment-naive or virologically suppressed on an
initial regimen of 400 mg bid) Take without regard to meals
Dolutegravir 50-mg tablet 50 mg PO once daily Cholesterol and TG
elevations, CK elevations, liver (Tivicay) With UGT1A/CY3A enzyme
elevations, hyperglycemia inducers (eg, efavirenz,
fosamprenavir/ritonavir, tipranavir/ritonavir, rifampin): 50 mg PO
BID Take without regard to meals Elvitgravir 85-mg, 85 mg PO once
daily Immune reconstitution syndrome (Vitekta).sup.f 150-mg tablet
plus atazanavir or lopinavir plus ritonavir or 150 mg PO once daily
plus darunavir or fosamprenavir or tipranavir plus ritonavir Take
with food Chemokine receptor antagonist (CCR5 antagonist) Maraviroc
150-mg, 300-mg tablets 150 mg PO bid (CYP3A4 Constipation,
dizziness, infection, rash (Selzentry) inhibitors .+-. inducers)
600 mg PO bid (CYP3A4 inducers) Take without regard to meals Fusion
inhibitor (FI) Enfuvirtide (Fuzeon).sup.d 90-mg/mL powder for 90 mg
SC bid Injection-site reactions (eg, pain, erythema, induration,
injection nodules) Combination formulations Stribild-elvitegravir
+emtricitabine (200 mg) Qd: this is a complete (150 mg) +
+tenofovir DF (300 mg) once-daily regimen cobicistat.sup.e (150 mg)
Genvoya- +emtricitabine (200 mg) qd; this is a complete
elvitegravir (150 mg) + +tenofovir AF.sup.g (10 mg) once-daily
regimen cobicistat (150 mg) Odefsey- +rilpivirine (25 mg) + qd;
this is a complete emtricitabine (200 tenofovir AF (25 mg)
once-daily regimen mg) Complera- +rilpivirine (25 mg) + qd; this is
a complete emtricitabine (200 tenofovir DF (300 mg) once-daily
regimen mg) Juluca-dolutegravir qd; this a complete once-daily
regimen in adults who are (50 mg) + rilpivirine virologically
suppressed (HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL) on (25 mg) a stable ART
regimen for .gtoreq.6 months with no history of treatment failure
and no known substitutions associated with resistance Descovy-
emtricitabine (200 mg) + tenofovir AF (25 mg) qd Truvada-
+tenofovir DF (300 emtricitabine (200 mg) qd mg) Epzicom-abacavir
+lamivudine (300 mg) qd (600 mg) Triumeq-abacavir +lamivudine (300
mg) qd (300 mg) + dolutegravir (50 mg) Trizivir-abacavir
+lamivudine (150 mg) + (300 mg) zidovudine (300 mg) bid
Atripla-tenofovir +emtricitabine (200 mg) DF (300 mg) +efavirenz
(600 mg) qd Combivir- +lamivudine (150 mg) zidovudine (300 mg) bid
Evotaz-atazanavir +cobicistat (150 mg) qd (300 mg) Prezcobix-
+cobicistat (150 mg) qd darunavir ethanolate (800 mg)
[0082] In some embodiments, the gelators are anti-retrovirals and
prodrugs of such anti-retrovirals which are used in formation of
the gels described herein.
[0083] In one non-limiting embodiment, a method of making an
anti-retroviral prodrug can be carried out as follows. The
anti-retroviral prodrugs can be synthesized by the covalent
attachment of one or more hydrophobic moieties which include, but
are not limited to primary alcohols, including diols to the active
agent (the anti-retroviral drug molecule). In some other
embodiments, the hydrophobic moieties can include, but are not
limited to haloalkanes (such as chloro- or bromo-alkyls having
chains of between 4-18 carbons in length) to the active agent (the
anti-retroviral drug molecule).
[0084] In one non-limiting example, the hydrophobic moiety, such as
a primary alcohol or diol, can be conjugated to a drug
(anti-retroviral) molecule as follows. To an oven dried suitable
container (such as a flask) is added 1.0 equivalents of the
anti-retroviral, 1.05 equivalents of Carbodiimide coupling reagent
(typically N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide or
N,N'-diisopropylcarbodiimide), 0.1 equivalents of
4-dimethylaminopyridine, up to 5 equivalents of a primary alcohol
(including, but not limited to, saturated primary alcohol alkyl
chains between 4-18 carbons in length and diols thereof). It is
believed that chain length of the hydrophobic moiety can be used to
control the release kinetics of the anti-retroviral drug attached
thereto. For example, use of short cleavable alkyl chain lengths
(less than six carbons) may demonstrate prolonged drug release, use
of long cleavable alkyl chain lengths (more than 12 carbons) may
demonstrate slow release in comparison to short alkyl chain
lengths, and intermediate alkyl chain lengths (six to twelve
carbons) may demonstrate release kinetics which are in between. The
material is suspended in an organic nitrogenous base (such as, but
not limited to, dry pyridine, dimethylformamide,
N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone or triethylamine) which may be dried over
molecular sieves. This suspension is heated (to about
50-150.degree. C., preferably at least about 100.degree. C.) and
stirred for between about 5-72 hours and then cooled to room
temperature. To the reaction mixture is added to a mixture of an
organic solvent in a suitable amount (such as 75 mL of chloroform)
and an alkaline aqueous wash (such as 75 mL 1 mM NaOH (aq)). The
aqueous layer is isolated and an aqueous acidic solution (such as
12M HCl (aq)) is added dropwise until pH<2. The material is
washed with 5% HCl (aq), filtered and the filtrate is dried under
reduced pressure to afford the desired prodrug. Column
chromatography on silica gel can be performed for purification,
using, for example, a gradient of methanol in chloroform. Yields
are generally between 20 and 75%, depending on the exact
anti-retroviral prodrug being synthesized.
[0085] Another non-limiting exemplary method is as follows. To an
oven dried suitable container (such as a flask) is added a
C.sub.4-C.sub.18 alkyl primary alcohol (1 eq.) which is stirred in
a suitable solvent (such as diethyl ether) at 0.degree. C. under an
inert atmosphere (such as of nitrogen or argon). Then is added
chloromethyl chloroformate (1.1 eq.) dropwise followed by the
addition of an organic nitrogenous base (such as, but not limited
to, dry pyridine, dimethylformamide, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone or
triethylamine) which is pyridine (3 eq.). The reaction is warmed to
room temperature and stirred for a suitable amount of time, such as
3-6 hours. The organic layer was washed with 1M HCl (aq) twice,
brine, and is concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting
material was dissolved in ethyl acetate and column chromatography
was performed using a gradient of ethyl acetate in hexanes to
afford the product as a white solid. The resulting chloromethyl
alkyl carbonate (1 eq.) is dissolved in acetone and potassium
iodide (10 eq.) is added and stirred at room temperature for 3-5
days. The reaction mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure,
dissolved in diethyl ether and the organic layer is washed with
water twice and brine. The organic layer was dried with sodium
sulfate and is concentrated under reduced pressure to afford the
product in yields typically between 30-75%. The resulting
iodomethyl alkyl carbonate (1.1 eq) is dissolved in
dimethylformamide and a prodrug molecule, such as tenofovir, (1
eq.) are added diisopropylethylamine (3 eq.) and stirred vigorously
for 24 hours at 50.degree. C. The DMF was removed under reduced
pressure, the material is dissolved in chloroform and is purified
via silica gel column chromatography using a gradient of methanol
in chloroform.
[0086] In yet another non-limiting example, the hydrophobic moiety,
such as a haloalkane (halogen-containing alkyl chains of between
4-18 carbons in length), can be conjugated to a drug
(anti-retroviral) molecule as follows. It is believed that chain
length of the hydrophobic moiety can be used to control the release
kinetics of the anti-retroviral drug attached thereto. For example,
use of short cleavable alkyl chain lengths may demonstrate
prolonged drug release, use of long cleavable alkyl chain lengths
may demonstrate slow release in comparison to short alkyl chain
lengths, and intermediate alkyl chain lengths may demonstrate
release kinetics which are in between (i.e., alkyl chain lengths
(more than 12 carbons) may demonstrate slow release in comparison
to short alkyl chain lengths, and intermediate alkyl chain lengths
(six to twelve carbons) may demonstrate release kinetics which are
in between). In one example, an equivalent of the anti-retroviral
drug is added to an oven dried suitable container (such as a flask
or scintillation vial). 1.3 equivalents of a haloalkane (such as,
but not limited to, 1-iodooctadecane) is then added to the same
container with 3 equivalents of base, such as triethylamine (TEA).
An organic solvent, such as dimethylformamide (DMF) is added to the
container. The container is placed under an inert atmosphere, such
as nitrogen or argon atmosphere. The container is heated (to a
temperature in between about 50 to about 100.degree. C., more
preferably about 80.degree. C.) and allowed to stir (for at least
about 5 to about 24 hours, preferably at least about 18 hours).
Afterward, the container is allowed to cool to room temperature and
the reaction mixture is separated via chromatography. Product
fractions can be collected and concentrated under reduced pressure
to recover the desired prodrug compound.
[0087] In some embodiments, the hydrophobic moieties described
above and which are conjugated to a drug (anti-retroviral) molecule
are conjugated to the molecule through a cleavable linker, such as
an enzymatically cleavable linker as described in further detail
below. Additionally, it is known that the hydrophobicity of drugs,
such as tenofovir and related derivatives shown in FIG. 1, affect
the physicochemical properties such as potency (i.e., HIV-1
activity (IC.sub.50 .mu.M)) where increasing hydrophobicity results
in increasing potency. Accordingly, it is believed that the
controlling the degree of hydrophobicity of the hydrophobic
moieties coupled to the drugs also permits control of the potency
of the anti-retroviral prodrugs described herein.
[0088] A person of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that
the conditions disclosed in the above methods of synthesizing
prodrugs are non-limiting examples and that other synthetic methods
may also be used or devised to achieve the desired prodrugs, such
as of Formulae (I) or (III) below. The person of skill in the art
would also be able to adjust the synthesis conditions (i.e.,
solvent selection, temperatures, etc.), workup, and purification
procedures to obtain desired target prodrugs according to the
general procedures described herein depending on the exact
anti-retroviral prodrug which is being synthesized.
[0089] In preferred embodiments, the anti-retrovirals (co-gelators)
may be tenofovir and derivatives thereof, tenofovir alafenamide,
cabotegravir, rilpivirine, emtricitabine, abacavir, lamivudine,
adefovir, or derivatives of any of those listed herein. In some
embodiments, the one or more anti-retrovirals may be
pharmaceutically acceptable salts of anti-retrovirals of tenofovir
and derivatives thereof, tenofovir alafenamide, cabotegravir,
rilpivirine, emtricitabine, abacavir, lamivudine, adefovir, or
other known anti-retrovirals which are commercially available, or
derivatives of any of those listed herein. Methods of preparing
pharmaceutically acceptable salts of anti-retroviral drugs are
known. In some embodiments, the anti-retroviral is a fumarate salt
of tenofovir alafenamide.
[0090] In one embodiment, the anti-retroviral is tenofovir or
derivatives thereof, as shown in FIG. 1.
[0091] In some embodiments, the anti-retroviral prodrug is defined
according Formula (I):
##STR00001##
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, hydrate, solvate or
stereoisomer thereof, wherein [0092] R.sub.1 is H, alkyl,
heteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl,
--CH((CH.sub.2).sub.nCH.sub.3)C(O)O-alkyl,
--(CH.sub.2).sub.nOC(O)O-alkyl; [0093] R.sub.2 is H, alkyl,
heteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl,
--CH((CH.sub.2).sub.nCH.sub.3)C(O)O-alkyl,
--(CH.sub.2).sub.nOC(O)O-alkyl; [0094] R.sub.3 is H or alkyl;
[0095] R.sub.4 is H or alkyl; [0096] R.sub.5 is H or alkyl; [0097]
Y is NH or O; [0098] n is an integer from 0 to 10; and
[0099] wherein each alkyl, heteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl may be
optionally substituted with one or more of alkyl, halogen,
hydroxyl, amine, amide, carboxylic acid, hydroxamide, sulfhydryl or
phosphate groups.
[0100] An exemplary compound of Formula (I) is defined according to
Formula (II) below:
##STR00002##
Additional compounds of Formula (I) include, but are not limited
to:
##STR00003##
3-((((((R)-1-(6-amino-9H-purin-9-yl)
propan-2-yl)oxy)methyl)phosphoryl)oxy)-2-hydroxypropylstearate
##STR00004##
[0101] (Z)-octadec-9-en-1-yl hydrogen
((((R)-1-(6-amino-9H-purin-9-yl)propan-2-yl)oxy)methyl)phosphonate
##STR00005##
[0102]
(R)-(((1-(6-amino-9H-purin-9-yl)propan-2-yl)oxy)methyl)phosphonic
stearic anhydride
##STR00006##
[0103] decyl hydrogen
((((R)-1-(6-amino-9H-purin-9-yl)propan-2-yl)oxy)methyl)phosphonate
##STR00007##
[0104] tetradecyl hydrogen
((((R)-1-(6-amino-9H-purin-9-yl)propan-2-yl)oxy)methyl)phosphonate
##STR00008##
[0105] octyl hydrogen
((((R)-1-(6-amino-9H-purin-9-yl)propan-2-yl)oxy)methyl)phosphonate
##STR00009##
[0106]
(R)-(((1-(6-amino-9H-purin-9-yl)propan-2-yl)oxy)methyl)phosphonic
stearic anhydride
##STR00010##
[0107] hexyl hydrogen
((((R)-1-(6-amino-9H-purin-9-yl)propan-2-yl)oxy)methyl)phosphonate
##STR00011##
[0108] heptyl hydrogen
((((R)-1-(6-amino-9H-purin-9-yl)propan-2-yl)oxy)methyl)phosphonate
##STR00012##
[0109] ethyl hydrogen
((((R)-1-(6-amino-9H-purin-9-yl)propan-2-yl)oxy)methyl)phosphonate
##STR00013##
[0110] phenyl hydrogen
((((R)-1-(6-amino-9H-purin-9-yl)propan-2-yl)oxy)methyl)phosphonate
##STR00014##
[0111] pentyl hydrogen
((((R)-1-(6-amino-9H-purin-9-yl)propan-2-yl)oxy)methyl)phosphonate
##STR00015##
[0112] butyl hydrogen
((((R)-1-(6-amino-9H-purin-9-yl)propan-2-yl)oxy)methyl)phosphonate
##STR00016##
[0113] tetradecyl hydrogen
((((R)-1-(6-amino-9H-purin-9-yl)propan-2-yl)oxy)methyl)phosphonate
##STR00017##
[0114] dioctadecyl
(R)-(((1-(6-amino-9H-purin-9-yl)propan-2-yl)oxy)methyl)phosphonate
##STR00018##
[0115] octan-2-yl hydrogen
((((R)-1-(6-amino-9H-purin-9-yl)propan-2-yl)oxy)methyl)phosphonate
##STR00019##
[0116] heptan-2-yl hydrogen
((((R)-1-(6-amino-9H-purin-9-yl)propan-2-yl)oxy)methyl)phosphonate
##STR00020##
[0117] dioctadecyl
(R)-(((1-(6-amino-9H-purin-9-yl)propan-2-yl)oxy)methyl)phosphonate
##STR00021##
[0118] 8-hydroxyoctyl hydrogen
((((R)-1-(6-amino-9H-purin-9-yl)propan-2-yl)oxy)methyl)phosphonate
##STR00022##
[0119] 12-hydroxydodecyl hydrogen
((((R)-1-(6-amino-9H-purin-9-yl)propan-2-yl)oxy)methyl)phosphonate
##STR00023##
[0120] 10-hydroxydecyl hydrogen
((((R)-1-(6-amino-9H-purin-9-yl)propan-2-yl)oxy)methyl)phosphonate
##STR00024##
[0121]
2-((((((R)-1-(6-amino-9H-purin-9-yl)propan-2-yl)oxy)methyl)(hydroxy-
)phosphoryl)oxy)-2-((S)-4,5-dihydroxy-3-oxo-2,3-dihydrofuran-2-yl)ethyl
palmitate
##STR00025##
[0122] ethyl hydrogen
((((R)-1-(6-amino-9H-purin-9-yl)propan-2-yl)oxy)methyl)phosphonate
[0123] When a diol is used according to the exemplary synthetic
methods described above, the anti-retroviral prodrug produced can
be a dimer prodrug defined, for example, according to Formula
(III):
##STR00026##
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, hydrate, solvate or
stereoisomer thereof, wherein
[0124] R.sub.2 and R.sub.2' are each independently H, alkyl,
heteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl,
--CH((CH.sub.2).sub.nCH.sub.3)C(O)O-alkyl,
--(CH.sub.2).sub.nOC(O)O-alkyl;
[0125] R.sub.3 and R.sub.3' are each independently H or alkyl;
[0126] R.sub.4 and R.sub.4' are each independently H or alkyl;
[0127] R.sub.5 and R.sub.5, are each independently H or alkyl;
[0128] Y.sub.1, Y.sub.2, Y.sub.3 and Y.sub.4 are each independently
NH or O; and
[0129] n is an integer from 0-10,
[0130] wherein each alkyl, halogen, heteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl
may be optionally substituted with one or more of alkyl, hydroxyl,
amine, amide, carboxylic acid, hydroxamide, sulfhydryl or phosphate
groups.
[0131] Exemplary compounds of Formula (III) include, but are not
limited to:
##STR00027##
octane-1,8-diyl bis(hydrogen
((((R)-1-(6-amino-9H-purin-9-yl)propan-2-yl)oxy)methyl)phosphonate)
##STR00028##
[0132] dodecane-1,12-diyl bis(hydrogen
((((R)-1-(6-amino-9H-purin-9-yl)propan-2-yl)oxy)methyl)phosphonate)
##STR00029##
[0133] decane-1,10-diyl bis(hydrogen
((((R)-1-(6-amino-9H-purin-9-yl)propan-2-yl)oxy)methyl)phosphonate)
[0134] The anti-retroviral-based prodrugs described above may be
used as a gelator and/or co-gelator. For instance, the prodrugs may
be used according to methods of forming gels described herein.
[0135] The functional groups of the (co)gelator promote
self-assembly by facilitating hydrogen bonding, intermolecular
interactions through pi-pi stacking, and molecular association
through van der Waals interactions, as discussed above.
[0136] The anti-retroviral-based prodrugs described above may have
one or more chiral centers and thus exist as one or more
stereoisomers. Such stereoisomers can exist as a single enantiomer,
a mixture of diastereomers or a racemic mixture are encompassed by
the present disclosure. As used herein, the term "stereoisomers"
refers to compounds made up of the same atoms having the same bond
order but having different three-dimensional arrangements of atoms
which are not interchangeable. The three-dimensional structures are
called configurations. As used herein, the term "enantiomers"
refers to two stereoisomers which are non-superimposable mirror
images of one another. As used herein, the term "optical isomer" is
equivalent to the term "enantiomer". As used herein the term
"diastereomer" refers to two stereoisomers which are not mirror
images but also not superimposable. The terms "racemate", "racemic
mixture" or "racemic modification" refer to a mixture of equal
parts of enantiomers. The term "chiral center" refers to a carbon
atom to which four different groups are attached. Choice of the
appropriate chiral column, eluent, and conditions necessary to
effect separation of the pair of enantiomers is well known to one
of ordinary skill in the art using standard techniques (see e.g.
Jacques, J. et al., "Enantiomers, Racemates, and Resolutions", John
Wiley and Sons, Inc. 1981).
[0137] C. Optional Therapeutic, Prophylactic, and Diagnostic Active
Agents
[0138] The hydrogel and organogel compositions described above may
also contain, in addition to the anti-retrovirals described, one or
more additional therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agents.
Therapeutic, prophylactic and diagnostic agents may be proteins,
anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids, contraceptives, antibiotics,
immunosuppressants, chemotherapeutics, sensitizing agents,
antibodies, antibody fragments, proteins, peptides, growth factors,
cytokines, cells, stem cells, siRNA, vitamins and any combination
thereof for their co-delivery with the anti-retroviral drugs.
[0139] In other forms, the additional therapeutic, prophylactic, or
diagnostic agents may be physically entrapped, encapsulated, or
non-covalently associated with the nanostructures in the gel
composition. The therapeutic, prophylactic, or diagnostic agents
may be covalently modified with one or more gelators, one or more
stabilizers, or be used as a gelator itself. Alternatively, they
are incorporated into the assembled ordered lamellar, vesicular,
and/or nanofibrous structures of the gel composition or positioned
on the surface of the assembled structures.
[0140] Suitable agents can include immunomodulatory molecules such
as steroids, non-antiinflammatory agents, chemotherapeutics,
anesthetics, analgesics, anti-pyretic agents, anti-infectious
agents such as antibacterial, antifungal agents, vitamins,
therapeutic RNAs such as small interfering RNA, microRNA, PiRNA,
ribozymes, and nucleotides encoding proteins or peptides, and in
some cases, cells.
[0141] Exemplary proteins to encapsulate in self-assembled gel
include enzymes (e.g., lysozyme), antibodies (e.g., immunoglobulin,
monoclonal antibody, and antigen binding fragments thereof), growth
factors (e.g., recombinant human growth factors), antigens, and
peptides such as insulin.
[0142] In some embodiments, the additional agents described herein
are encapsulated or loaded in the self-assembled gel and one or
more of the agents may potentiate the efficacy of another such as
the one or more anti-retroviral drugs. In another embodiment, the
self-assembled gel compositions include a mixture of therapeutic
agents (e.g., a cocktail of agents) for continuous delivery to a
tissue or a cell in need thereof.
[0143] Diagnostic agents can be included in the self-assembled gel
composition and may include paramagnetic molecules, fluorescent
compounds, magnetic molecules, and radionuclides. Suitable
diagnostic agents include, but are not limited to, x-ray imaging
agents and contrast media. Radionuclides can be used as imaging
agents. Examples of other suitable contrast agents include gases or
gas emitting compounds, which are radiopaque.
[0144] The additional agents described herein are optional but may
in general be encapsulated at a concentration between about 1 mg/mL
and about 200 mg/mL in the self-assembled gels described.
[0145] D. Gel Properties
Mechanical Properties & Injectability
[0146] With self-assembled hydrogel or organogel compositions, no
gravitational flow is observed upon inversion of a container at
room temperature for at least 10 seconds, and in some cases, for
about 1 hour, about 3 hours, about 1 day, about 2 days, about 3
days, about one week or longer. A self-assembled gel is homogeneous
and stable to inversion, unlike heterogeneous materials that is a
mixture of gelled regions (non-flowable) and non-gelled, liquid
regions (flowable). A self-assembled gel is also different from
liposome or micelle suspensions. Liposome or micelles suspensions
are not self-supporting and can flow when the container is
inverted.
[0147] In some embodiments, the self-assembled gel compositions
have recoverable rheological properties, i.e., self-assembled gel
is shear-thinning, suitable for injection, and recovers to a
self-supporting state after cessation of a shear force. The
self-supporting state generally features an elastic modulus of from
about 10 to about 10,000 Pascal and greater than a viscous modulus.
Due to non-covalent interactions for the assembly of gelators and
cationic agents, a bulk gel may deform and be extruded under a
shear force (e.g., during injection), and the gelators and cationic
agents re-assemble upon cessation of shear forces to a
self-supporting, stable-to-inversion state (e.g., elastic modulus
G' greater than viscous modulus G'').
[0148] Alternatively, the self-assembled gel composition is
injectable as suspended in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier,
i.e., a suspension medium, being a fibrous suspension state.
[0149] Another form of the self-assembled gel is a microparticle or
nanoparticle, where the bulk self-supporting gel is homogenized,
sonicated, wet milled, or otherwise dispersed in a suspension
medium and further collected.
Micro- and/or Nano-Structures
[0150] The one or more anti-retrovirals and optional agents
described can be encapsulated and/or entrapped within or between
the nanostructures, can be non-covalently bonded to the
nanostructures, or both.
[0151] The hydrophobic parts and the hydrophilic parts of the
gelator molecules can interact to form nanostructures (lamellae,
sheets, fibers, particles) of gelator molecules. The optional
agents may insert and form part of the nanostructures, is entrapped
or encapsulated in the gel, or both. In some embodiments, when the
gels are hydrogels, the hydrophobic portions of gelators are
located in the inner regions of a given nanostructures, and
hydrophilic portions are located at the outer surfaces of the
nanostructure (see FIG. 2). In some embodiments, when the gels are
organogels, the hydrophobic portions of gelators are located in the
outer regions of a given nanostructure, and hydrophilic portions
are located at the inner surfaces of the nanostructure (see FIG.
2). The nanostructure can have a width of from about three to about
five nanometers and a length of several microns (e.g., about one
micron, about two microns, about three microns, about four microns,
about five microns, about ten microns, about twenty microns, or
about twenty five microns) or more. Several tens or hundreds of
lamellae can bundle together to form nanostructures, such as fibers
and sheet-like structures.
[0152] In some embodiments, the nanostructures include
nanoparticles, microparticles, micelles, liposomes, vesicles,
fibers, sheets, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments,
the nanostructures can have a minimum dimension (e.g., a thickness,
a width, or a diameter) of 2 nm or more (e.g., 50 nm or more, 100
nm or more, 150 nm or more, 200 nm or more, 250 nm or more, 300 nm
or more, 350 nm or more) and/or 400 nm or less (e.g., 350 nm or
less, 300 nm or less, 250 nm or less, 200 nm or less, 150 nm or
less, 100 nm or less, or 500 nm or less). In some embodiments, the
nanostructures (e.g, fibers, sheets) have a length and/or width of
several microns (e.g., one micron, two microns, three microns, four
microns, five microns, ten microns, twenty microns, or twenty five
microns) or more. The nanostructures can aggregate into networks,
and/or be in the form of a liquid crystal, emulsion, fibrillar
structure, or tape-like morphologies. When the nanostructures are
in the form of fibers, the fibers can have a diameter of about 2 nm
or more, and can have lengths of hundreds of nanometers or more. In
some embodiments, the fibers can have lengths of several microns
(e.g., one micron, two microns, three microns, four microns, five
microns, ten microns, twenty microns, or twenty five microns) or
more.
Degradation (Cleavable Linkage)
[0153] In some embodiments, the gelators and/or co-gelators
demonstrate responsive release based on linkages contained therein
which are formed from degradable chemical bonds (or functional
groups) and/or tunable non-covalent association forces (e.g.,
electrostatic forces, van der Waals, or hydrogen bonding forces).
In some embodiments, these linkages are (1) degradable covalent
linkage between the hydrophilic segment and the hydrophobic segment
of an amphiphile gelator, (2) positioned in a prodrug-type gelator,
which upon cleavage releases an active drug, and/or (3) covalent
linkage or non-covalent association forces between a gelator and a
therapeutic agent. The cleavage or dissociation of these linkages
result in (1) more rapid or greater release of the encapsulated or
entrapped agents compared to passive diffusion-mediated release of
agent; and/or (2) converts prodrug gelator into active drug for
release.
[0154] Stimuli evoking release includes intrinsic environment in
vivo and user-applied stimulation, for example, enzymes, pH,
oxidation, temperature, irradiation, ultrasound, metal ions,
electrical stimuli, or electromagnetic stimuli. A typical
responsive linkage is cleavable through enzyme and/or hydrolysis,
based on a chemical bond involving an ester, an amide, an
anhydride, a thioester, and/or a carbamate. In some embodiments,
phosphate-based linkages can be cleaved by phosphatases or
esterase. In some embodiments, labile linkages are redox cleavable
and are cleaved upon reduction or oxidation (e.g., --S--S--). In
some embodiments, degradable linkages are susceptible to
temperature, for example cleavable at high temperature, e.g.,
cleavable in the temperature range of 37-100.degree. C.,
40-100.degree. C., 45-100.degree. C., 50-100.degree. C.,
60-100.degree. C., 70-100.degree. C. In some embodiments,
degradable linkages can be cleaved at physiological temperatures
(e.g., from about 36 to 40.degree. C., about 36.degree. C., about
37.degree. C., about 38.degree. C., about 39.degree. C., about
40.degree. C.). For example, linkages can be cleaved by an increase
in temperature. This can allow use of lower dosages, because agents
are only released at the required site. Another benefit is lowering
of toxicity to other organs and tissues. In certain embodiments,
stimuli can be ultrasound, temperature, pH, metal ions, light,
electrical stimuli, electromagnetic stimuli, and combinations
thereof.
Controlled Release of Anti-Retrovirals and/or Other Agent(s)
[0155] The hydrogel or organogels compositions can be prepared for
controlled release and/or degradation over a period of time.
Degradation may result in release of anti-retrovirals
(co-gelators), anti-retrovirals upon cleavage from a prodrug-based
gelator, and/or other agents found within the gels. The
self-assembled hydrogels or organogels may result in a cumulative
release of up to about 10%, about 20%, about 30%, about 40%, about
50%, about 60%, about 70%, about 80%, about 90%, or essentially all
of the anti-retroviral and/or other agents in the gels within about
1, about 2, about 3, about 4, about 5, about 6, about 7, about 8,
about 9, about 10, about 11, about 12, about 13, about 14, about
15, about 16, about 17, about 18, about 19, about 20, about 21,
about 22, about 23, about 24 hours. In some instances, cumulative
release of up to about 10%, about 20%, about 30%, about 40%, about
50%, about 60%, about 70%, about 80%, about 90%, or essentially all
of the anti-retroviral and/or other agents in the gels occurs
within about 1, about 2, about 3, about 4, about 5, about 6, about
7, about 8, about 9, or about 10 days. In yet other instances,
cumulative release of up to about 10%, about 20%, about 30%, about
40%, about 50%, about 60%, about 70%, about 80%, about 90%, or
essentially all of the anti-retroviral and/or other agents in the
gels occurs within about 1, about 2, about 3, about 4, about 5,
about 6, about 7, about 8 weeks or longer. In other instances,
cumulative release of up to about 10%, about 20%, about 30%, about
40%, about 50%, about 60%, about 70%, about 80%, about 90%, or
essentially all of the anti-retroviral and/or other agents in the
gels occurs within about 1, about 2, about 3, about 4, about 5,
about 6, about 7, about 8, about 9, about 10, about 11, or about 12
months. In some embodiments where the anti-retrovirals and/or
agents in the gels are bound by an enzyme cleavable linker the
presence of a stimulus, such as an enzyme, self-assembled gel
formed from a gelator with an enzyme-degradable linkage releases
the agent more rapidly, compared to the gel in a medium lacking the
enzyme. In certain embodiments, the hydrogels or organogels may
include one or more control release agents which may increase or
decrease the rate of release of the anti-retroviral drugs and/or
other agents based on the amount of the control release agent
present. An exemplary control release agent is cholesterol.
[0156] In some embodiments, the release kinetics of the
anti-retroviral drugs can be tuned by including one or more
additional co-gelators, such as GRAS amphiphiles described above,
which can be used to increase or decrease the rate of release of
the drugs and/or other agents in the gels.
[0157] Stability
[0158] The anti-retroviral drugs (co-gelators) and prodrug-based
anti-retrovirals (co-gelators) thereof described present in
hydrogels or organogels can remain stable over a period of
time.
[0159] The stability of the anti-retroviral drugs (co-gelators) and
prodrug-based anti-retrovirals (co-gelators) thereof can be
determined as percentage of the aforementioned in the hydrogels or
organogels after a certain period of time. In certain instances,
the anti-retroviral drugs (co-gelators) and prodrug-based
anti-retrovirals (co-gelators) present in hydrogels or organogels
may remain stable for at least about 1, about 2, about 3, about 4,
about 5, about 6, about 7, about 8, about 9, about 10, about 11, or
about 12 weeks when stored at room temperature, incubated at
4.degree. C., or stored at 37.degree. C. In certain other
instances, the anti-retroviral drugs (co-gelators) and
prodrug-based anti-retrovirals (co-gelators) present in hydrogels
or organogels may remain stable for at least about 1, about 2,
about 3, about 4, about 5, about 6, about 7, about 8, about 9,
about 10, about 11, or about 12 months when stored at room
temperature, incubated at 4.degree. C., or stored at 37.degree. C.
"Remain stable," as used herein refers to a percent loss of the
anti-retroviral drugs (co-gelators) and prodrug-based
anti-retrovirals (co-gelators) thereof of less than about 10%,
about 9%, about 8%, about 7%, about 6%, about 5%, about 4%, about
3%, about 2%, about 1%, about 0.5%, or about 0.1%.
[0160] E. Gel Formulations
[0161] The self-assembled hydrogel or organogels may be prepared
from combinations of gelators, co-gelators, solvents, and
co-solvents and according to the methods described herein. The gels
may be prepared as powder formulations or as liquid gel
formulations.
[0162] The gel formulations are typically sterilized or sterile.
For example, a sterile formulation can be prepared by first
performing sterile filtration of gelators, cationic agents, as well
as agents to be encapsulated, followed by processes of preparing
the gels in an aseptic environment. Alternatively, all processing
steps can be performed under non-sterile conditions, and then
terminal sterilization (e.g., gamma or E-beam irradiation) can be
applied to the resulting hydrogels or products thereof.
[0163] Dry formulations contain lyophilized self-assembled gel
compositions where solvent is removed, resulting in xerogels.
Xerogels can be in a powder form, which can be useful for
maintaining sterility and activity of agents during storage and for
processing into desired forms. As xerogels are solvent free, they
can have improved shelf-life and can be relatively easily
transported and stored. To lyophilize self-assembled gels, the gels
can be frozen (e.g., at -80.degree. C.) and vacuum-dried over a
period of time to provide xerogels.
[0164] Alternatively, a dry formulation contains dry powder
components of gelators, cationic agents, one or more therapeutic
agents, which are stored in separate containers, or mixed at
specific ratios and stored. In some embodiments, suitable aqueous
and organic solvents are included in additional containers. In some
embodiments, dry powder components, one or more solvents, and
instructions on procedures to mix and prepare assembled
nanostructures are included in a kit.
[0165] Liquid gel formulations contain self-assembled gel
composition suspended in a liquid pharmaceutical carrier. In some
forms, self-assembled gel is suspended or re-suspended in aqueous
media for ease of administration and/or reaching a desired
concentration for minimizing toxicity.
[0166] The liquid formulations described may be isotonic relative
to body fluids and of approximately the same pH, ranging from about
pH 4.0 to about pH 8.0, more preferably from about pH 6.0 to about
pH 7.6. The liquid pharmaceutical carrier can include one or more
physiologically compatible buffers, such as a phosphate or
bicarbonate buffers. One skilled in the art can readily determine a
suitable saline content and pH for an aqueous solution that is
suitable for an intended route of administration.
[0167] In some instances, the liquid formulations may include one
or more suspending agents, such as cellulose derivatives, sodium
alginate, polyvinylpyrrolidone, gum tragacanth, or lecithin. Liquid
formulations may also include one or more preservatives, such as
ethyl or n-propyl p-hydroxybenzoate.
III. Methods of Making
[0168] 1. Methods of Preparing Gels
[0169] The liquid medium for the gelators to form self-assembled
gels generally include a one-solvent system (typically for
organogels) or a two-solvent system (typically for hydrogels) of an
organic solvent and water (or an aqueous salt solution), or an
aqueous-organic mixture solvent system.
[0170] a. Hydrogels
[0171] In one embodiment for forming hydrogels, a method of
preparing a self-assembled hydrogel includes the steps of:
[0172] (1) Adding an amount of one or more GRAS amphiphiles
(gelators) to a suitable container (such as a vial);
[0173] (2) Adding one or more anti-retroviral drugs, such as
tenofovir alafenamide (TAF), (as a co-gelator) to the same
container;
[0174] (3) Adding a first solvent (such as, hexyl butyrate,
glycerol, or propylene glycol) to the vial;
[0175] (4) Heating the mixture until dissolution of the
amphiphile(s) and the one or more anti-retroviral drugs;
[0176] (5) Adding a second solvent (such as water or an aqueous
solution) to the container and heating the container until the
mixture formed becomes a uniform solution; and
[0177] (6) Allowing the mixture to cool to room temperature such
that gelation occurs, typically within 15-20 minutes.
[0178] Gelation is achieved when following cooling the uniform
mixture of step (6) becomes a self-supporting mass (i.e., a
hydrogel). Typically the hydrogel formed is a viscous gel stable
which is stable to inversion (e.g., resists flow when inverted).
Gelation takes place as the heated gelation solution cools
(typically to room temperature) or is cooled (such as controlled
cooled at a determined rate of cooling). Leaving the gel on a
stable surface for about 15-20 mins, about 15-30 mins, about 15-40
mins, about 15-50 mins, 1 about 5-60 mins, or about one to about
two hours at room temperature results in a consistent
self-supporting hydrogel.
[0179] The hydrogel may be characterized by methods including, but
not limited to, optical or electron microscopy. The hydrogels may
be characterized as being formed of ordered assembled micro- or
nano-structures (i.e., (nano)fibrous/fiber-like, lamellar,
tape-like, and/or vesicular). The hydrogels may demonstrate no
precipitates or substantially no precipitates by inspection
("substantially," refers to less 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%,
2%, 1%, 0.5%, or 0.1% precipitates present by weight).
[0180] In some embodiments of the above method, the heating in
steps (4) and (5) are each independently carried out at
temperatures ranging from between about 30-100.degree. C., about
40-100.degree. C., about 50-100.degree. C., about 60-100.degree.
C., about 70-100.degree. C., about 90-100.degree. C., about
30-90.degree. C., about 40-90.degree. C., about 50-90.degree. C.,
about 60-90.degree. C., about 70-90.degree. C., about 80-90.degree.
C., about 40-80.degree. C., about 50-80.degree. C., about
60-80.degree. C., about 70-80.degree. C., about 30-70.degree. C.,
about 40-70.degree. C., about 50-70.degree. C., about 60-70.degree.
C., about 30-60.degree. C., about 40-60.degree. C., about
50-60.degree. C., about 30-50.degree. C., or about 40-50.degree. C.
In some embodiments, the heating in steps (4) and (5) is carried
out in the temperature range of between about 60-80.degree. C.
[0181] The one or more anti-retrovirals (co-gelators) may be
selected without limit from tenofovir and derivatives thereof,
tenofovir alafenamide, cabotegravir, rilpivirine, emtricitabine,
abacavir, lamivudine, adefovir, or other known anti-retrovirals
which are commercially available, or derivatives of any of those
listed herein. In some embodiments, the one or more
anti-retrovirals may be pharmaceutically acceptable salts of
anti-retrovirals of tenofovir and derivatives thereof, tenofovir
alafenamide, cabotegravir, rilpivirine, emtricitabine, abacavir,
lamivudine, adefovir, or other known anti-retrovirals which are
commercially available, or derivatives of any of those listed
herein. Methods of preparing pharmaceutically acceptable salts of
anti-retroviral drugs are known. In some embodiments, the
anti-retroviral is a fumarate salt of tenofovir alafenamide. The
hydrogels may demonstrate loading efficiencies of the one or more
anti-retroviral drugs when the loading amounts of the drugs are up
to about 90 wt/wt %, about 80 wt/wt %, about 70 wt/wt %, about 60
wt/wt %, about 50 wt/wt %, about 45 wt/wt %, about 40 wt/wt %,
about 35 wt/wt %, about 30 wt/wt %, about 25 wt/wt %, about 20
wt/wt %, about 15 wt/wt %, about 10 wt/wt %, or about 5 wt/wt %. In
some embodiments, the loading of the one or more anti-retroviral
drugs in the resulting hydrogels are about 1 mg, about 5 mg, about
10 mg, about 20 mg, about 30 mg, about 40 mg, about 50 mg, about 60
mg, about 70 mg, about 80 mg, about 90 mg, about 100 mg, about 200
mg, about 300 mg, about 400 mg, about 500 mg, about 600 mg, about
700 mg, about 800 mg, about 900 mg, or about 1000 mg per mL of
hydrogel. In certain embodiments, the loading of the one or more
anti-retroviral drugs in the resulting hydrogels is in the range of
between about 100-1000 mg per mL of hydrogel when the loading
amounts are greater than or equal to 50%.
[0182] The organic solvent can be selected based on the solubility
of the GRAS gelators and co-gelators therein, its polarity,
hydrophobicity, water-miscibility, and in some cases the acidity.
Suitable organic solvents include water-miscible solvent, or
solvent that has an appreciable water solubility (e.g., greater
than 5 g/100 g water), e.g., propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol,
N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), hexyl butyrate, glycerol, acetone,
dimethylformamide (DMF), tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, acetonitrile,
alcohols such as ethanol, methanol or isopropyl alcohol, as well as
low molecular weight polyethylene glycol (e.g., 1 kDa PEG which
melts at 37.degree. C.), or any combination thereof. In other
forms, the self-assembled gel compositions can include a polar or
non-polar solvent, such as water, benzene, toluene, carbon
tetrachloride, acetonitrile, glycerol, 1,4-dioxane, dimethyl
sulfoxide, ethylene glycol, methanol, chloroform, hexane, acetone,
benzyl alcohol, N, N'-dimethyl formamide, ethanol, isopropyl
alcohol, butyl alcohol, pentyl alcohol, tetrahydrofuran, xylene,
mesitylene, and/or any combination thereof. The amount of an
organic solvent present in the hydrogels according the above method
is generally less than about 50%, about 40%, about 30%, about 25%,
about 20%, about 15%, or about 10% by vol/vol of the total volume
used in the preparation of the hydrogel. In other instances, the
amount of an organic solvent present in the hydrogels according the
above method is generally less than about 50%, about 40%, about
30%, about 25%, about 20%, about 15%, or about 10% by wt/vol of the
total volume used in the preparation of the hydrogel.
[0183] The second solvent is typically water which may be
sterilized and selected from distilled water, de-ionized water,
pure or ultrapure water. In some instances the second solvent is an
aqueous solution such as saline, other physiologically acceptable
aqueous solutions containing salts and/or buffers, such as
phosphate buffered saline (PBS), Ringer's solution, and isotonic
sodium chloride, or any other aqueous solution acceptable for
administration to a subject, such as an animal or human. The
amounts of the second solvent are typically based on the amounts of
the first organic solvent used wherein the selected total volume or
weight percentage of organic solvent(s) determined the volume or
weight percentage of the water or aqueous solution (i.e., if 30 v/v
% of organic solvent then 70 v/v % water).
[0184] The resulting hydrogels described may be isotonic relative
to body fluids and of approximately the same pH, ranging from about
pH 4.0 to about pH 8.0, more preferably from about pH 6.0 to about
pH 7.6, even more preferably from about pH 7.0 to about pH 7.6.
[0185] GRAS gelators, anti-retroviral drugs (co-gelators), organic
solvents, and water are selected at an appropriate gelator
concentration and appropriate volume and ratio of the
aqueous-organic mixture solvent system, or both, to form
self-supporting hydrogels.
[0186] b. Organogels
[0187] In one embodiment for forming organogels, a method of
preparing a self-assembled organogel includes the steps of:
[0188] (1) Adding an amount of one or more GRAS amphiphiles
(gelators) to a suitable container (such as a vial);
[0189] (2) Adding one or more anti-retroviral drugs, such as
tenofovir alafenamide (TAF), (as a co-gelator) to the same
container;
[0190] (3) Adding one or more oil-based solvents (such as, olive
oil, castor oil, corn oil, sesame oil, soybean oil) to the
vial;
[0191] (4) Heating the mixture until dissolution of the
amphiphile(s) and the one or more anti-retroviral drugs;
[0192] (5) Allowing the mixture to cool to room temperature such
that gelation occurs, typically within 15-20 minutes.
[0193] Gelation is achieved when following cooling the uniform
mixture of step (5) becomes a self-supporting mass (i.e., an
organogel). Typically the organogel formed is a viscous gel stable
which is stable to inversion (e.g., resists flow when inverted).
Gelation takes place as the heated gelation solution cools
(typically to room temperature) or is cooled (such as controlled
cooled at a determined rate of cooling). Leaving the gel on a
stable surface for about 15-20 mins, about 15-30 mins, about 15-40
mins, about 15-50 mins, about 15-60 mins, or about one to two hours
at room temperature results in a consistent self-supporting
organogel.
[0194] The organogel may be characterized by methods including, but
not limited to, optical or electron microscopy. The organogels may
be characterized as being formed of ordered assembled micro- or
nano-structures (i.e., (nano)fibrous/fiber-like, lamellar,
tape-like, and/or vesicular). The organogels may demonstrate no
precipitates or substantially no precipitates by inspection
("substantially," refers to less 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%,
2%, 1%, 0.5%, or 0.1% precipitates present by weight).
[0195] In some embodiments of the above method, the heating in step
(4) is carried out at temperatures ranging from between about
30-100.degree. C., about 40-100.degree. C., about 50-100.degree.
C., about 60-100.degree. C., about 70-100.degree. C., about
90-100.degree. C., about 30-90.degree. C., about 40-90.degree. C.,
about 50-90.degree. C., about 60-90.degree. C., about 70-90.degree.
C., about 80-90.degree. C., about 40-80.degree. C., about
50-80.degree. C., about 60-80.degree. C., about 70-80.degree. C.,
about 30-70.degree. C., about 40-70.degree. C., about 50-70.degree.
C., about 60-70.degree. C., about 30-60.degree. C., about
40-60.degree. C., about 50-60.degree. C., about 30-50.degree. C.,
or about 40-50.degree. C. In some embodiments, the heating in step
(4) is carried out in the temperature range of between about
60-80.degree. C.
[0196] The one or more anti-retrovirals (co-gelators) may be
selected without limit from tenofovir and derivatives thereof,
tenofovir alafenamide, cabotegravir, rilpivirine, emtricitabine,
abacavir, lamivudine, adefovir, or other known anti-retrovirals
which are commercially available, or derivatives of any of those
listed herein. In some embodiments, the one or more
anti-retrovirals may be pharmaceutically acceptable salts of
anti-retrovirals of tenofovir and derivatives thereof, tenofovir
alafenamide, cabotegravir, rilpivirine, emtricitabine, abacavir,
lamivudine, adefovir, or other known anti-retrovirals which are
commercially available, or derivatives of any of those listed
herein. Methods of preparing pharmaceutically acceptable salts of
anti-retroviral drugs are known. In some embodiments, the
anti-retroviral is a fumarate salt of tenofovir alafenamide. The
organogels may demonstrate loading efficiencies of the one or more
anti-retroviral drugs when the loading amounts of the drugs are up
to about 90 wt/wt %, about 80 wt/wt %, about 70 wt/wt %, about 60
wt/wt %, about 50 wt/wt %, about 45 wt/wt %, about 40 wt/wt %,
about 35 wt/wt %, about 30 wt/wt %, about 25 wt/wt %, about 20
wt/wt %, about 15 wt/wt %, about 10 wt/wt %, or about 5 wt/wt %. In
some embodiments, the loading of the one or more anti-retroviral
drugs in the resulting organogels are about 1 mg, about 5 mg, about
10 mg, about 20 mg, about 30 mg, about 40 mg, about 50 mg, about 60
mg, about 70 mg, about 80 mg, about 90 mg, about 100 mg, about 200
mg, about 300 mg, about 400 mg, about 500 mg, about 600 mg, about
700 mg, about 800 mg, about 900 mg, or about 1000 mg per mL of
organogel. In certain embodiments, the loading of the one or more
anti-retroviral drugs in the resulting organogels is in the range
of between about 100-1000 mg per mL of organogel when the loading
amounts are greater than or equal to 50%.
[0197] The oil-based solvents can be selected based on the
solubility of the GRAS gelators and co-gelators therein. Suitable
oil-based solvents include, but are not limited to, olive oil,
castor oil, corn oil, sesame oil, soybean oil and any blends or
combinations thereof. In some embodiments, blends of any of the
aforementioned oils may be formed wherein the blends contain up to
at least about 10%, about 20%, about 30%, about 40%, about 50%,
about 60%, about 70%, about 80%, about 90%, about 91%, about 92%,
about 93%, about 94%, about 95%, about 96%, about 97%, about 98%,
or about 99% castor oil.
[0198] The resulting organogels described may be isotonic relative
to body fluids and of approximately the same pH, ranging from about
pH 4.0 to about pH 8.0, more preferably from about pH 6.0 to about
pH 7.6, even more preferably from about pH 7.0 to about pH7.6.
[0199] Gelators, anti-retroviral co-gelators, and oil-based
solvents are selected at an appropriate gelator concentration and
appropriate volume and ratio of the oil-based solvent system, or
both, to form self-supporting organogels.
[0200] c. Gels Formed from Anti-Retroviral Prodrugs
[0201] In some embodiments gels are formed using the
anti-retroviral prodrugs described above.
[0202] 1. Prodrug-Based Hydrogels
[0203] A non-limiting method of preparing a self-assembled hydrogel
includes the steps of:
[0204] (1) Adding an amount of one or more organic solvents (such
as DMSO, NMP, or propylene glycol) to a suitable container (such as
a vial);
[0205] (2) Adding one or more anti-retroviral prodrugs (as a
gelator) to the same container;
[0206] (3) Heating the mixture until dissolution of the one or more
anti-retroviral prodrugs;
[0207] (4) Adding a second solvent which is water (or an aqueous
solution) to the same container;
[0208] (5) Heating the mixture to ensure dissolution of the one or
more anti-retroviral prodrugs;
[0209] (6) Allowing the mixture to cool to room temperature such
that gelation occurs, typically within 15-20 minutes.
[0210] Gelation is achieved when following cooling the uniform
mixture of step (6) becomes a self-supporting mass (i.e., a
hydrogel). Typically the hydrogel formed is a viscous gel stable
which is stable to inversion (e.g., resists flow when inverted).
Gelation takes place as the heated gelation solution cools
(typically to room temperature) or is cooled (such as controlled
cooled at a determined rate of cooling). Leaving the gel on a
stable surface for about 15-20 mins, about 15-30 mins, about 15-40
mins, about 15-50 mins, about 15-60 mins, or about one to two hours
at room temperature results in a consistent self-supporting
hydrogel.
[0211] The prodrug-based hydrogel may be characterized by methods
including, but not limited to, optical or electron microscopy. The
hydrogels may be characterized as being formed of ordered assembled
micro- or nano-structures (i.e., (nano)fibrous/fiber-like,
lamellar, tape-like, and/or vesicular). The hydrogels may
demonstrate no precipitates or substantially no precipitates by
inspection ("substantially," refers to less 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%,
5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, 0.5%, or 0.1% precipitates present by
weight).
[0212] In some embodiments of the above method, the heating in
steps (3) and (5) are each independently carried out at
temperatures ranging from between about 30-100.degree. C., about
40-100.degree. C., about 50-100.degree. C., about 60-100.degree.
C., about 70-100.degree. C., about 90-100.degree. C., about
30-90.degree. C., about 40-90.degree. C., about 50-90.degree. C.,
about 60-90.degree. C., about 70-90.degree. C., about 80-90.degree.
C., about 40-80.degree. C., about 50-80.degree. C., about
60-80.degree. C., about 70-80.degree. C., about 30-70.degree. C.,
about 40-70.degree. C., about 50-70.degree. C., about 60-70.degree.
C., about 30-60.degree. C., about 40-60.degree. C., about
50-60.degree. C., about 30-50.degree. C., or about 40-50.degree. C.
In some embodiments, the heating in steps (3) and (5) is carried
out in the temperature range of between about 60-80.degree. C.
[0213] The one or more anti-retroviral prodrugs (gelators) may be
synthesized according to the methods described above. In some
instances, the prodrugs (gelators) are compounds according to any
one of Formulae (I)-(III) or any combination thereof. The hydrogels
may demonstrate loading efficiencies of the one or more
anti-retroviral prodrugs when the loading amounts of the prodrugs
are up to about 90 wt/wt %, about 80 wt/wt %, about 70 wt/wt %,
about 60 wt/wt %, about 50 wt/wt %, about 45 wt/wt %, about 40
wt/wt %, about 35 wt/wt %, about 30 wt/wt %, about 25 wt/wt %,
about 20 wt/wt %, about 15 wt/wt %, about 10 wt/wt %, about 5 wt/wt
%, about 4 wt/wt %, about 3 wt/wt %, about 2 wt/wt %, about 1 wt/wt
%. In some embodiments, the amount of prodrug gelator is greater
than about 3 wt/wt %. In some embodiments, the loading of the one
or more anti-retroviral prodrugs in the resulting hydrogels are
about 1 mg, about 5 mg, about 10 mg, about 20 mg, about 30 mg,
about 40 mg, about 50 mg, about 60 mg, about 70 mg, about 80 mg,
about 90 mg, about 100 mg, about 200 mg, about 300 mg, about 400
mg, about 500 mg, about 600 mg, about 700 mg, about 800 mg, about
900 mg, or about 1000 mg per mL of hydrogel. In certain
embodiments, the loading of the one or more anti-retroviral
prodrugs in the resulting hydrogels is in the range of between
about 100-1000 mg per mL of hydrogel when the loading amounts are
greater than or equal to 50%.
[0214] The prodrugs typically contain an enzymatically cleavable
linker which is cleaved upon exposure to an appropriate enzyme, as
described in detail in the disclosure herein.
[0215] The organic solvent(s) can be selected based on the
solubility of the GRAS gelators and co-gelators therein, its
polarity, hydrophobicity, water-miscibility, and in some cases the
acidity. Suitable organic solvents include water-miscible solvent,
or solvent that has an appreciable water solubility (e.g., greater
than 5 g/100 g water), e.g., propylene glycol, dimethylformamide
(DMF), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), propylene glycol, dipropylene
glycol, hexyl butyrate, glycerol, acetone, tetrahydrofuran,
dioxane, acetonitrile, alcohols such as ethanol, methanol or
isopropyl alcohol, as well as low molecular weight polyethylene
glycol (e.g., 1 kDa PEG which melts at 37.degree. C.), or any
combination thereof. In other forms, the self-assembled gel
compositions can include a polar or non-polar solvent, such as
water, benzene, toluene, carbon tetrachloride, benzyl alcohol,
acetonitrile, glycerol, 1,4-dioxane, dimethyl sulfoxide, ethylene
glycol, methanol, chloroform, hexane, acetone, N, N'-dimethyl
formamide, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, butyl alcohol, pentyl
alcohol, tetrahydrofuran, xylene, mesitylene, and/or any
combination thereof.
[0216] The amount of an organic solvent present in the hydrogels
according the above method is generally less than about 50%, about
40%, about 30%, about 25%, about 20%, about 15%, or about 10% by
vol/vol of the total volume used in the preparation of the
hydrogel. In other instances, the amount of an organic solvent
present in the hydrogels according the above method is generally
less than about 50%, about 40%, about 30%, about 25%, about 20%,
about 15%, or about 10% by wt/vol of the total volume used in the
preparation of the hydrogel.
[0217] The second solvent is typically water which may be
sterilized and selected from distilled water, de-ionized water,
pure or ultrapure water. In some instances the second solvent is an
aqueous solution such as saline, other physiologically acceptable
aqueous solutions containing salts and/or buffers, such as
phosphate buffered saline (PBS), Ringer's solution, and isotonic
sodium chloride, or any other aqueous solution acceptable for
administration to a subject, such as an animal or human. The
amounts of the second solvent are typically based on the amounts of
the first organic solvent used wherein the selected total volume or
weight percentage of organic solvent(s) determined the volume or
weight percentage of the water or aqueous solution (i.e., if 25 v/v
% of organic solvent then 75 v/v % water).
[0218] The resulting hydrogels described may be isotonic relative
to body fluids and of approximately the same pH, ranging from about
pH 4.0 to about pH 8.0, more preferably from about pH 6.0 to about
pH 7.6, even more preferably from about pH 7.0 to about pH 7.6.
[0219] Anti-retroviral prodrugs (gelators), organic solvents, and
water are selected at an appropriate gelator concentration and
appropriate volume and ratio of the aqueous-organic mixture solvent
system, or both, to form self-supporting hydrogels.
[0220] 2. Prodrug-Based Organogels
[0221] In some other embodiments, a non-limiting method of
preparing a self-assembled hydrogel includes the steps of:
[0222] (1) Adding one or more anti-retroviral prodrugs (as a
gelator) to a same container, such as a vial;
[0223] (2) Adding one or more oil-based solvents (such as olive
oil, castor oil, or soybean oil) to the same container;
[0224] (3) Heating the mixture to ensure dissolution of the one or
more anti-retroviral prodrugs;
[0225] (4) Allowing the mixture to cool to room temperature such
that gelation occurs, typically within 15-20 minutes.
[0226] Gelation is achieved when following cooling the uniform
mixture of step (5) becomes a self-supporting mass (i.e., an
organogel). Typically the organogel formed is a viscous gel stable
which is stable to inversion (e.g., resists flow when inverted).
Gelation takes place as the heated gelation solution cools
(typically to room temperature) or is cooled (such as controlled
cooled at a determined rate of cooling). Leaving the gel on a
stable surface for about 15-20 mins, about 15-30 mins, about 15-40
mins, about 15-50 mins, about 15-60 mins, or about one to two hours
at room temperature results in a consistent self-supporting
organogel.
[0227] The organogel may be characterized by methods including, but
not limited to, optical or electron microscopy. The organogels may
be characterized as being formed of ordered assembled micro- or
nano-structures (i.e., (nano)fibrous/fiber-like, lamellar,
tape-like, and/or vesicular). The organogels may demonstrate no
precipitates or substantially no precipitates by inspection
("substantially," refers to less 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%,
2%, 1%, 0.5%, or 0.1% precipitates present by weight).
[0228] In some embodiments of the above method, the heating in step
(3) is carried out at temperatures ranging from between about
30-100.degree. C., about 40-100.degree. C., about 50-100.degree.
C., about 60-100.degree. C., about 70-100.degree. C., about
90-100.degree. C., about 30-90.degree. C., about 40-90.degree. C.,
about 50-90.degree. C., about 60-90.degree. C., about 70-90.degree.
C., about 80-90.degree. C., about 40-80.degree. C., about
50-80.degree. C., about 60-80.degree. C., about 70-80.degree. C.,
about 30-70.degree. C., about 40-70.degree. C., about 50-70.degree.
C., about 60-70.degree. C., about 30-60.degree. C., about
40-60.degree. C., about 50-60.degree. C., about 30-50.degree. C.,
or about 40-50.degree. C. In some embodiments, the heating in step
(3) is carried out in the temperature range of between about
60-80.degree. C.
[0229] The one or more anti-retroviral prodrugs (gelators) may be
synthesized according to the methods described above. In some
instances, the prodrugs (gelators) are compounds according to any
one of Formulae (I)-(III) or any combination thereof. The
organogels may demonstrate loading efficiencies of the one or more
anti-retroviral drugs when the loading amounts of the drugs are up
to about 90 wt/wt %, about 80 wt/wt %, about 70 wt/wt %, about 60
wt/wt %, about 50 wt/wt %, about 45 wt/wt %, about 40 wt/wt %,
about 35 wt/wt %, about 30 wt/wt %, about 25 wt/wt %, about 20
wt/wt %, about 15 wt/wt %, about 10 wt/wt %, about 5 wt/wt %, about
4 wt/wt %, about 3 wt/wt %, about 2 wt/wt %, about 1 wt/wt %. In
some embodiments, the amount of prodrug gelator is greater than
about 3 wt/wt %. In some embodiments, the loading of the one or
more anti-retroviral prodrugs in the resulting organogels are about
1 mg, about 5 mg, about 10 mg, about 20 mg, about 30 mg, about 40
mg, about 50 mg, about 60 mg, about 70 mg, about 80 mg, about 90
mg, about 100 mg, about 200 mg, about 300 mg, about 400 mg, about
500 mg, about 600 mg, about 700 mg, about 800 mg, about 900 mg, or
about 1000 mg per mL of organogel. In certain embodiments, the
loading of the one or more anti-retroviral prodrugs in the
resulting organogels is in the range of between about 100-1000 mg
per mL of organogel when the loading amounts are greater than or
equal to 50%.
[0230] The oil-based solvents can be selected based on the
solubility of the GRAS gelators and co-gelators therein. Suitable
oil-based solvents include, but are not limited to, olive oil,
castor oil, corn oil, sesame oil, soybean oil and any blends or
combinations thereof. In some embodiments, blends of any of the
aforementioned oils may be formed wherein the blends contain up to
at least about 10%, about 20%, about 30%, about 40%, about 50%,
about 60%, about 70%, about 80%, about 90%, about 91%, about 92%,
about 93%, about 94%, about 95%, about 96%, about 97%, about 98%,
or about 99% castor oil.
[0231] The resulting organogels described may be isotonic relative
to body fluids and of approximately the same pH, ranging from about
pH 4.0 to about pH 8.0, more preferably from about pH 6.0 to about
pH 7.6, even more preferably from about pH 7.0 to about pH 7.6.
[0232] Anti-retroviral prodrug gelators and oil-based solvents are
selected at an appropriate gelator concentration and appropriate
volume and ratio of the oil-based solvent system, or both, to form
self-supporting organogels.
[0233] 2. Optional Gel Purification
[0234] Distillation, filtration, dialysis, centrifugation, other
solvent exchange techniques, vacuum, drying, or lyophilization may
be used in one or more repeated processes to remove unencapsulated
excess agent and organic solvent from the gels (hydrogels or
organogels described above) to below the stated limit of
pharmaceutical product requirements.
[0235] Generally a purification medium is one suitable for
administration, such that the solvent of the gel is at least
partially replaced with the purification medium.
[0236] Generally, a process to make the self-assembled gel
composition includes combining gelators, cationic agents,
therapeutic agents, and solvents to form a mixture; heating or
sonicating the mixture; stirring or shaking the mixture for a time
sufficient to form a homogeneous solution; and cooling the
homogenous solution for a time sufficient to enable the formation
of self-assembled gel compositions.
[0237] 3. Suspension into a Fibrous Mixture and Processing into
Particles
[0238] The self-assembled hydrogels or organogels in some
embodiments are suspended in a pharmaceutically acceptable for ease
of administration to a patient (e.g., by drinking or injection)
and/or to provide a desired drug concentration to control
toxicity.
[0239] In some forms, the bulk gels are suspended in water,
phosphate buffered saline, or other physiological saline, which is
homogenized or sonicated to break up the bulk gel into particles
(micro and/or nanoparticles) which retain the fibrous
nanostructures formed in the bulk gel.
[0240] In some embodiments, the bulk gel and the prodrugs may be
wet milled to produce particles. Wet (nano)milling may afford
several advantages over use of non-wet milled gels and prodrugs
including, but not limited to, scalability, increase uptake by
immune cells, improvements in sustained release, and higher drug
concentrations (since wet milled particles generally have no matrix
material). These particles may be microparticles, nanoparticles, or
combinations thereof. In some instances, wet milling occurs in the
presence of suitable excipients selected from, but not limited to
cellulose, lactose, starch, polysorbates, or combinations thereof.
Methods of wet milling are known.
[0241] In some embodiments, the nanoparticles and/or microparticles
have a minimum dimension (e.g., a thickness, a width, or a
diameter) of 2 nm or more (e.g., 50 nm or more, 100 nm or more, 150
nm or more, 200 nm or more, 250 nm or more, 300 nm or more, 350 nm
or more, 500 nm or more, 1,000 nm or more, 5,000 nm or more, or
10,000 nm or more) and/or 400 nm or less (e.g., 10,000 nm or less,
5,000 nm or less, 1,000 nm or less, 500 nm or less, 350 nm or less,
300 nm or less, 250 nm or less, 200 nm or less, 150 nm or less, 100
nm or less, or 500 nm or less). The particles may aggregate into
networks, and/or be in the form of a liquid crystal, emulsion, or
other types of morphologies. It is believed that the size of the
wet milled particles can be used to tune release kinetics of the
anti-retroviral drugs or other agents in the gels where large sized
particles (more than 5000 nm) demonstrate slower release than small
sized particles (less than 750 nm) and medium sized particles
(750-5000 nm) show release rates which are intermediate to the
small and large particles.
[0242] The particles can be collected, stored, and reconstituted
prior to use in a suitable medium and at an appropriate
concentration for administration. Different types of gel particles
loaded with different amounts or types of therapeutic agents may be
combined.
[0243] In some embodiments, particles are nanoparticles having a
hydrodynamic diameter between 100 nm and 990 nm, preferably between
500 nm and 900 nm, and the nanoparticles maintain at least 50, 60,
70 or 80% of the size in serum over a period of at least two
hours.
[0244] In other embodiments, particles are microparticles having a
diameter ranging from 1 .mu.m to a couple hundred millimeters.
[0245] 4. Sterilization
[0246] A sterile formulation is prepared by first performing
sterile filtration of the process solutions (e.g., drug and gelator
solutions), followed by gel preparation, suspension, purification
and lyophilization under aseptic procession conditions.
Alternatively, all processing steps can be performed under
non-sterile conditions, and then terminal sterilization (e.g.,
gamma or E-beam irradiation) can be applied to the lyophilized
hydrogel product. Sterile solution for resuspension can also be
prepared using similar methods.
IV. Methods of Use
[0247] The gels, formulations thereof, and/or milled particles
thereof can be administered through various known methods. The
gels, formulations thereof, and particles can be administered
subcutaneously, intramuscularly, intravenously, orally, via
inhalation, transdermally, intraperitoneally, intravaginally,
intrarectally and intravesically. In certain instances, the gels,
formulations thereof, and/or particles thereof described herein are
well-suited for delivery by injection. In yet other instances, the
gels, formulations thereof, and/or particles thereof may be loaded
onto porous implants which can be implanted (and removed in
needed)
[0248] The gels, formulations thereof, and/or milled particles
thereof can exhibit controlled release of active agents (such as
anti-retroviral drugs, prodrugs thereof, or other agents) over long
course of time (such as 8-12 weeks or more) with minimal prolonged
sub-therapeutic PK tail, and therefor can be used as long acting
therapeutics for treating viral infectious diseases, such as HIV
infection, hepatitis B, and others, such as influenza.
[0249] In some instances, the gels, formulations thereof, and/or
particles thereof described herein are biodegradable, exhibit
minimal toxicity when they degrade, and can deliver active agent
(such as anti-retroviral drugs, prodrugs thereof, or other agents)
at doses as high as about 1000 mg formulated in about 2-4 ml
volumes, with loading efficiencies ranging from about 10-20, about
10-30, about 10-40, or about 10-50 wt/wt % or greater.
[0250] In some embodiments, optimal therapeutic effect can be
achieved with a dosing frequency of one subcutaneous or
intramuscular injection of the gels, formulations thereof, and/or
milled particles thereof every about 1-2, about 1-3, about 1-4,
about 1-5, about 1-6, about 1-7, about 1-8, about 1-9, about 1-10,
about 1-11, or about 1-12 weeks or more. The drug or the prodrug
and the other agents are subsequently released through dissolution,
hydrolytic or other forms of degradation or in response to a
stimulus, such as a specific enzyme.
[0251] In some forms, the self-assembled gels, formulations, or
particles thereof can be used in a methods of preventing or
treating one or more symptoms of viral diseases or disorders in a
subject by administering an effective amount of the self-assembled
gel composition to deliver an effective amount of therapeutic,
prophylactic, or diagnostic agents.
[0252] Benefits of the methods and materials described herein
include higher drug loading, as high as 60% w/w. Additionally, the
optimal conditions for self-assembly of each type of prodrug,
including solvents, gelation time, concentrations for the prodrugs
of anti-retrovirals, including TAF, have been identified.
[0253] The present invention will be further understood by
reference to the following non-limiting examples.
EXAMPLES
Example 1: Prodrug of Tenofovir (Octyl hydrogen
((((R)-1-(6-amino-9H-purin-9-yl)oxy)methyl)phosphonate)
[0254] Methods:
[0255] A prodrug of tenofovir was prepared as follows. To an oven
dried round bottom flask was added 100 mg (1 eq, 0.35 mmol)
((R)-9-(2-Phosphonomethoxy propyl)adenine), 75 mg (1.05 eq, 0.37
mmol) N, N'dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, 4.3 mg (0.1 eq, 0.035 mmol)
4-dimethylaminopyridine, 226 mg (5 eq, 1.74 mmol) 1-octanol and 5
mL pyridine. The solution was stirred vigorously at 100.degree. C.
for 20 hours. The reaction was cooled to room temperature and the
mixture was diluted with 1 mM NaOH (aq) solution and chloroform.
The aqueous layer was isolated, acidified to pH<2 with 12M HCl
and filtered. The isolate was concentrated under reduced pressure
to afford the desired compound as a white solid, resulting in 58 mg
of the prodrug with a 41% yield.
[0256] Results:
[0257] The synthesis and purity of the prodrug were confirmed by
.sup.1H-NMR: 400 MHz, d-DMSO, .delta. (m, int), 8.21 (s, 1H), 8.16
(s, 1H), 7.64 (s, 2H), 4.31-4.15 (m, 2H), 3.96-3.92 (m, 2H),
3.79-3.75 (m, 3H), 1.47 (m, 2H), 1.22 (m, 12H), 1.06 (d, 3H), 0.84
(t, 3H). Elemental analysis: C, 51.12; H, 7.57; N, 17.53; O, 16.02;
and P, 7.75.
[0258] The chemical structure of the resulting tenofovir prodrug
(of Formula (I)) is shown below:
##STR00030##
Example 2: Synthesis of Tenofovir Prodrug Dimer
[0259] To an oven dried round bottom flask is added 1 equivalent of
((R)-9-(2-Phosphonomethoxypropyl)adenine), 1.05 equivalents of
Carbodiimide coupling reagent (typically
N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide or N,N'-diisopropylcarbodiimide), 0.1
equivalents of 4-dimethylaminopyridine, 5 equivalents of a primary
terminal monoprotected alkyl diol (e.g.
1-triethtylsilylhexan-6-ol). The material is suspended in an
organic nitrogenous base (typically dry pyridine,
dimethylformamide, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone or triethylamine), which
creates a white suspension. This suspension is heated to
100.degree. C. and stirs vigorously for 5-72 hours and is then
cooled to room temperature. To the reaction mixture is added 75 mL
chloroform and 75 mL 1 mM NaOH (aq). The aqueous layer is isolated
and 12M HCl (aq) is added dropwise until pH<2. The material is
washed with 5% HCl (aq), filtered and the filtrate is dried under
reduced pressure to afford the intermediate compound. The material
is dissolved in methanol and stirs with 5 eq. potassium carbonate
for 12-24 hours. The reaction mixture is filtered then concentrated
under reduced pressure, redissolved in chloroform and washed with
water then brine. The material is dried with sodium sulfate and
concentrated under reduced pressure. Then, to an oven dried round
bottom flask is added 1 equivalent of the nucleotide analogue
(typically tenofovir, and usually the same analog as used
previously in this scheme), 1.05 equivalents of Carbodiimide
coupling reagent (typically N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide or
N,N'-diisopropylcarbodiimide), 0.1 equivalents of
4-dimethylaminopyridine, 1 equivalent of the intermediate is added.
The material is suspended in an organic nitrogenous base (typically
dry pyridine, dimethylformamide, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone or
triethylamine), which creates a white suspension. This suspension
is heated to 100.degree. C. and stirs vigorously for 5-72 hours and
is then cooled to room temperature. To the reaction mixture is
added 75 mL chloroform and 75 mL 1 mM NaOH (aq). The aqueous layer
is isolated and 12M HCl (aq) is added dropwise until pH<2. The
material is washed with 5% HCl (aq), filtered and the filtrate is
dried under reduced pressure to afford the desired product in
overall modest yield.
Example 3: Prodrugs of Tenofovir (Octadecyl
hydrogen((((R)-1-(6-amino-9H-purin-9-yl)propan-2
yl)oxy)methyl)phosphonate & Decyl hydrogen
((((R)-1-(6-amino-9H-purin-9-yl)propan-2-yl)oxy)methyl)phosphonate)
[0260] Methods:
[0261] (1) For octadecyl
hydrogen((((R)-1-(6-amino-9H-purin-9-yl)propan-2
yl)oxy)methyl)phosphonate: One equivalent of tenofovir was added to
a dry round bottom flask or scintillation vial. 1.3 equivalents of
a haloalkane (1-Iodooctadecane) was then added to the same flask
with 3 equivalents of triethylamine (TEA). 93 equivalents of the
solvent Dimethylformamide (DMF) were added to the flask. The flask
was capped and placed under a nitrogen atmosphere. The flask was
heated to 80.degree. C. and allowed to stir for 18 hours. After 18
hours flask was allowed to cool to room temperature and the
reaction mixture was separated via chromatography. Product
fractions were collected and concentrated under reduced pressure to
recover desired prodrug target compound.
[0262] (2) For decyl hydrogen
((((R)-1-(6-amino-9H-purin-9-yl)propan-2-yl)oxy)methyl)phosphonate:
One equivalent of tenofovir was added to a dry round bottom flask
or scintillation vial. 1.3 equivalents of haloalkane (1-Iododecane)
was then added to the same flask with 3 equivalents of
triethylamine (TEA). 93 equivalents of the solvent
Dimethylformamide (DMF) was then added to the flask. The flask was
capped and placed under a nitrogen atmosphere. Flask was heated to
80.degree. C. and allowed to stir for 18 hours. After 18 hours
flask was allowed to cool to room temperature and the reaction
mixture was separated via chromatography. Product fractions are
collected and concentrated under reduced pressure to recover
desired compound.
[0263] Results:
[0264] The isolated compound of the first synthesis above was
characterized by .sup.1H NMR and was consistent with presence of
desired octadecyl hydrogen
((((R)-1-(6-amino-9H-purin-9-yl)propan-2-yl)oxy)methyl)phosphonate
target. The appearance of a triplet peak at 0.9 ppm corresponds to
the hydrogens of the terminal methyl group on the inserted chain
and the appearance of multiple peaks at 1.26 ppm corresponded to
hydrogens found in long chain. The chemical structure of the
prodrug is as follows:
##STR00031##
[0265] The isolated compound of the second synthesis above was
characterized by .sup.1H NMR and was consistent with the presence
of the desired decyl hydrogen
((((R)-1-(6-amino-9H-purin-9-yl)propan-2-yl)oxy)methyl)phosphonate.
The appearance of a triplet peak at 0.855 PPM corresponded to the
hydrogens of the terminal methyl group on the inserted chain and
the appearance of multiple peaks at 1.26 PPM corresponded to
hydrogens found in chain. The chemical structure of the prodrug is
as follows:
##STR00032##
Example 4: Tenofovir Alafenamide (TAF) Hydrogels Formed with
Ascorbyl Palmitate (AP)
[0266] Methods:
[0267] Hydrogels were formed by the steps of:
[0268] (1) Adding ascorbyl palmitate (gelator) to vials 1 and
2;
[0269] (2) Adding tenofovir alafenamide (TAF), (as a co-gelator) to
each the vials wherein the amount was selected to achieve a 30
wt/wt % loading of TAF in the final hydrogel;
[0270] (3) Adding a hexyl butyrate to vial 1 and propylene glycol
to vial 2, such that the content of the organic solvent volume of
the final volume formed was 30% vol/vol;
[0271] (4) Heating the container until dissolution of the gelator
and TAF;
[0272] (5) Adding water to the container and heating the mixture
until the mixture becomes a uniform solution; wherein the total
volume of organic solvent and water was 200 .mu.L; and
[0273] (6) Allowing the mixture to cool to room temperature such
that gelation occurs.
[0274] Results:
[0275] Hydrogels were successfully obtained when using ascorbyl
palmitate as the GRAS gelator with TAF (as the free base) as the
anti-retroviral co-gelator at a loading of up to 30% wt/wt using
organic solvents hexyl butyrate or propylene glycol.
[0276] Optical microscopy of the hexyl butyrate hydrogel showed
fibrous structures with minimal precipitates. Optical microscopy of
the propylene glycol hydrogel showed organized vesicular
structures. Attempts to form a hydrogel, as described above, in
glycerol resulted in a hydrogel which had large precipitates when
examined by microscopy.
Example 5: Maximum Loading Efficiency of Tenofovir Alafenamide
(TAF) Hydrogels Formed with Ascorbyl Palmitate (AP)
[0277] Methods:
[0278] Hydrogels were formed according to the method described in
Example 4 wherein the loading of TAF was varied (30-90% w/w) in
hydrogels formed using either propylene glycol or hexyl
butyrate.
[0279] Results:
[0280] It was possible to obtain TAF loadings of less than 90% w/w
or less when using propylene glycol as the organic solvent in the
hydrogels. It was possible to obtain TAF loadings of less than 45%
w/w when using hexyl butyrate as the organic solvent in the
hydrogels.
[0281] Optical microscopy of the propylene glycol hydrogels with
30% and 45% w/w TAF showed organized vesicular structures. Optical
microscopy of the propylene glycol hydrogel with 60% w/w TAF showed
fibrous structures with minimal precipitates. Attempts to form a
hydrogel, as described above, in propylene glycol with 90% w/w TAF
were not successful.
[0282] Optical microscopy of the hexyl butyrate hydrogel with 30%
w/w TAF showed fibrous structures with minimal precipitates.
Attempts to form a hydrogel, as described above, in hexyl butyrate
with 45% w/w TAF were not successful.
Example 6: Tenofovir Alafenamide (TAF) Hydrogels Formed with
Triglycerol Monostearate (TG18)
[0283] Methods:
[0284] Hydrogels were formed by the steps of:
[0285] (1) Adding triglycerol monostearate (gelator) to a vial;
[0286] (2) Adding tenofovir alafenamide (TAF), (as a co-gelator) to
the vial wherein the amount was selected to achieve a 30 wt/wt %
loading of TAF in the final hydrogel;
[0287] (3) Adding propylene glycol the vial, respectively, such
that the content of the organic solvent volume of the final volume
formed was 30% vol/vol;
[0288] (4) Heating the vial until dissolution of the gelator and
TAF;
[0289] (5) Adding water to the mixture and heating the vial until
the mixture becomes a uniform solution; wherein the total volume of
organic solvent and water was 200 .mu.L; and
[0290] (6) Allowing the mixture to cool to room temperature such
that gelation occurs.
[0291] Results:
[0292] A Hydrogel was successfully obtained when using triglycerol
monostearate as the GRAS gelator with TAF (as the free base) as the
anti-retroviral co-gelator at a loading of up to 30% wt/wt using
propylene glycol as the organic solvent.
[0293] Optical microscopy of the propylene glycol hydrogel with 30%
w/w TAF showed organized vesicular structures. Attempts to prepare
hydrogels using hexyl butyrate and glycerol were unsuccessful.
Example 7: Maximum Loading Efficiency of Tenofovir Alafenamide
(TAF) Hydrogels Formed with Triglycerol Monostearate (TG18)
[0294] Methods:
[0295] Hydrogels were formed according to the method described in
Example 6 wherein the loading of TAF was varied (30-90% w/w) in
hydrogels formed using propylene glycol.
[0296] Results:
[0297] It was possible to obtain TAF loadings of less than 45% w/w
when using propylene glycol as the organic solvent in the
hydrogels.
[0298] Optical microscopy of the propylene glycol hydrogel with 30%
w/w TAF showed organized vesicular structures. 45% and 60% w/w
propylene glycol hydrogels showed a gel with free flowing liquid
and a gel having precipitates present, respectively.
Example 8: Hydrogels Formed with Ascorbyl Palmitate (AP) with the
Fumarate Salt Form of Tenofovir Alafenamide (TAF-Fumarate)
[0299] Methods:
[0300] Hydrogels were formed by the steps of:
[0301] (1) Adding ascorbyl palmitate (gelator) to a vial;
[0302] (2) Adding the fumarate salt of tenofovir alafenamide
(TAF-fumarate), (as a co-gelator) to the vial wherein the amount
was selected to achieve a 30, 45, or 60 wt/wt % loading of TAF in
the final hydrogel;
[0303] (3) Adding propylene glycol the vial, such that the content
of the organic solvent volume of the final volume formed was 20 or
30% vol/vol;
[0304] (4) Heating the vial until dissolution of the gelator and
TAF-fumarate;
[0305] (5) Adding water to the mixture and heating the vial until
the mixture becomes a uniform solution; wherein the total volume of
organic solvent and water was 200 .mu.L; and
[0306] (6) Allowing the mixture to cool to room temperature such
that gelation occurs.
[0307] Results:
[0308] A hydrogel was successfully obtained when using ascorbyl
palmitate as the GRAS gelator with TAF (as the fumarate salt form)
as the anti-retroviral co-gelator at a loading of up to 30%, 45%,
or 60% by wt/wt using the organic solvent propylene glycol.
[0309] Attempts to form hydrogels, as described above, with
ascorbyl palmitate and hexyl butyrate or glycerol at 30%, 45%, or
60% w/w TAF (as the fumarate salt form) were not successful.
Attempts to form hydrogels, as described above, with triglycerol
monostearate and propylene glycol, glycerol, or hexyl butyrate at
30%, 45%, or 60% w/w TAF (as the fumarate salt form) were not
successful.
Example 9: Maximum Loading Efficiency of the Fumarate Salt Form of
Tenofovir Alafenamide (TAF-Fumarate) in Hydrogels Formed with
Ascorbyl Palmitate (AP)
[0310] Methods:
[0311] Hydrogels were formed according to the method described in
Example 8 wherein the loading of TAF was varied (30-90% w/w) in
hydrogels formed using propylene glycol.
[0312] Results:
[0313] It was possible to obtain TAF loadings of up to 60% w/w when
using propylene glycol as the organic solvent in the hydrogels.
Example 10: Tenofovir Alafenamide (TAF) Organogels Formed with
Ascorbyl Palmitate (AP)
[0314] Methods:
[0315] Organogels were formed by the steps of:
[0316] (1) Adding ascorbyl palmitate (AP) to a vials 1-5;
[0317] (2) Adding tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) (as a co-gelator) to
vials 1-5, wherein the amount was selected to achieve a 30 wt/wt %
loading of TAF in the final organogel;
[0318] (3) Adding olive oil to vial 1, castor oil to vial 2, corn
oil to vial 3, sesame oil to vial 4, and soybean oil to vial 5;
[0319] (4) Heating the mixtures in the vials until dissolution of
the ascorbyl palmitate (AP) and the tenofovir alafenamide
(TAF);
[0320] (5) Allowing the mixtures in the vials to cool to room
temperature such that gelation occurs, typically within 15-20
minutes.
[0321] Results:
[0322] Organogels were successfully obtained when using ascorbyl
palmitate (AP) as the GRAS gelator with TAF (as the free base) as
the anti-retroviral co-gelator at a loading of up to 30% wt/wt
using oil-based solvents olive oil, castor oil, corn oil, sesame
oil, and soybean oil.
[0323] Optical microscopy of the organogels with 30% w/w TAF formed
with olive oil, corn oil, sesame oil, and soybean oil showed
organized vesicular structures.
Example 11: Maximum Loading Efficiency of Tenofovir Alafenamide
(TAF) in Organogels Formed with Ascorbyl Palmitate (AP)
[0324] Methods:
[0325] Organogels were formed according to the method described in
Example 10 wherein the loading of TAF was varied (30-60% w/w) in
hydrogels formed using olive oil, castor oil, corn oil, sesame oil,
and soybean oil.
[0326] Results:
[0327] It was possible to obtain TAF loadings of less than 60% w/w
when using olive oil, castor oil, corn oil, sesame oil, and soybean
oil as the oil-based solvent in the organogels.
[0328] It was possible to obtain TAF loadings of at least 60% w/w
when using castor oil as the oil-based solvent in the
organogels.
[0329] Optical microscopy of the organogels with 30% and 45%, w/w
TAF formed with olive oil showed organized vesicular structures. At
60% w/w TAF in olive oil a gel was formed which showed
precipitates. Optical microscopy of the organogels with 30%, 45%,
and 60% w/w TAF formed with castor oil showed no precipitates.
Optical microscopy of the organogels with 30% and 45% w/w TAF
formed with corn oil showed organized vesicular structures. At 60%
w/w TAF in corn oil a gel was formed which showed precipitates.
Optical microscopy of the organogels with 30% and 45% w/w TAF
formed with sesame oil showed organized vesicular structures. At
60% w/w TAF in sesame oil a gel was formed which showed
precipitates. Optical microscopy of the organogel with 30% w/w TAF
formed with soybean oil showed organized vesicular structures. At
45% w/w TAF in soybean oil a gel having no precipitates was found
whereas at 60% w/w TAF the gel formed showed precipitates.
Example 12: Tenofovir Alafenamide (TAF) Organogels Formed with
Triglycerol Monostearate (TG18)
[0330] Methods:
[0331] Organogels were formed by the steps of:
[0332] (1) Adding triglycerol monostearate (TG18) to a vials
1-5;
[0333] (2) Adding tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) (as a co-gelator) to
vials 1-5, wherein the amount was selected to achieve a 30 wt/wt %
loading of TAF in the final organogel;
[0334] (3) Adding olive oil to vial 1, castor oil to vial 2, corn
oil to vial 3, sesame oil to vial 4, and soybean oil to vial 5;
[0335] (4) Heating the mixtures in the vials until dissolution of
the triglycerol monostearate (TG18) and the tenofovir alafenamide
(TAF);
[0336] (5) Allowing the mixtures in the vials to cool to room
temperature such that gelation occurs, typically within 15-20
minutes.
[0337] Results:
[0338] Organogels were successfully obtained when using triglycerol
monostearate (TG18) as the GRAS gelator with TAF (as the free base)
as the anti-retroviral co-gelator at a loading of up to 30% wt/wt
using oil-based solvents olive oil, castor oil, corn oil, sesame
oil, and soybean oil.
[0339] Optical microscopy of the organogels with 30% w/w TAF formed
with olive oil, castor oil, corn oil, sesame oil, and soybean oil
showed organized structures. In the case of castor oil, the
structures were characterized as fibrous.
Example 13: Maximum Loading Efficiency of Tenofovir Alafenamide
(TAF) in Organogels Formed with Triglycerol Monostearate (TG18)
[0340] Methods:
[0341] Organogels were formed according to the method described in
Example 10 wherein the loading of TAF was varied (30-60% w/w) in
hydrogels formed using olive oil, castor oil, corn oil, sesame oil,
and soybean oil.
[0342] Results:
[0343] It was possible to obtain TAF loadings of less than 60% w/w
when using olive oil, castor oil, corn oil, sesame oil, and soybean
oil as the oil-based solvent in the organogels.
[0344] It was possible to obtain TAF loadings of at least 60% w/w
when using castor oil as the oil-based solvent in the
organogels.
[0345] Optical microscopy of an organogel with 30% w/w TAF formed
with olive oil showed organized structures. At 45% w/w TAF the
structures were vesicular structures. A 60% w/w organogel in olive
oil was achieved but precipitates were present by optical
microscopy. Optical microscopy of the organogels with 30% and 45
w/w TAF formed with castor oil showed fibrous structures. At 60%
w/w TAF organized structures were found. Optical microscopy of the
organogels with 30% and 45 w/w TAF formed with corn oil showed
organized structures. A 60% w/w organogel in corn oil was achieved
but precipitates were present by optical microscopy. Optical
microscopy of the organogels with 30% and 45 w/w TAF formed with
sesame oil showed organized structures. A 60% w/w organogel in
sesame oil was achieved but precipitates were present by optical
microscopy. Optical microscopy of the organogels with 30% and 45
w/w TAF formed with soybean oil showed organized structures. A 60%
w/w organogel in soybean oil was achieved but precipitates were
present by optical microscopy.
Example 14: Tenofovir Alafenamide (TAF) Organogels Formed with
Sucrose Palmitate (SP)
[0346] Methods:
[0347] Organogels were formed by the steps of:
[0348] (1) Adding sucrose palmitate (SP) to a vial;
[0349] (2) Adding tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) (as a co-gelator) to
the vials, wherein the amount was selected to achieve a 30 wt/wt %
loading of TAF in the final organogel;
[0350] (3) Adding castor oil to the vial;
[0351] (4) Heating the mixtures in the vials until dissolution of
the sucrose palmitate (SP) and the tenofovir alafenamide (TAF);
[0352] (5) Allowing the mixtures in the vials to cool to room
temperature such that gelation occurs, typically within 15-20
minutes.
[0353] Results:
[0354] An organogel was successfully obtained when using sucrose
palmitate (SP) as the GRAS gelator with TAF (as the free base) as
the anti-retroviral co-gelator at a loading of up to 30% wt/wt
using castor oil. Attempts to form organogels, as described above,
with olive oil, corn oil, sesame oil, or soybean oil were not
successful.
[0355] Optical microscopy of the organogel with 30% w/w TAF formed
with castor oil showed organized structures.
Example 15: Maximum Loading Efficiency of Tenofovir Alafenamide
(TAF) in Organogels Formed with Sucrose Palmitate (SP)
[0356] Methods:
[0357] Organogels were formed according to the method described in
Example 14 wherein the loading of TAF was varied (30-60% w/w) in
hydrogels formed using castor oil.
[0358] Results:
[0359] It was possible to obtain TAF loadings of less than 45% w/w
when using castor oil as the oil-based solvent in the organogels.
Attempts to form organogels with TAF loadings greater than 45% w/w
in castor oil were not successful. Attempts to form organogels, as
described above, with olive oil, corn oil, sesame oil, or soybean
oil were not successful.
[0360] Optical microscopy of the organogel with 30% w/w TAF formed
with castor oil showed organized structures.
Example 16: Organogels formed with Ascorbyl Palmitate (AP),
Triglycerol Monostearate (TG18), or Sucrose Palmitate (SP) with the
Fumarate Salt Form of Tenofovir Alafenamide (Taf-Fumarate)
[0361] Methods:
[0362] Hydrogels were formed by the steps of:
[0363] (1) Adding ascorbyl palmitate, triglycerol monostearate, or
sucrose palmitate (gelators) to different vials;
[0364] (2) Adding the fumarate salt of tenofovir alafenamide
(TAF-fumarate), (as a co-gelator) to the vial wherein the amount
was selected to achieve a 30, 45, or 60 wt/wt % loading of TAF in
the final organogel;
[0365] (3) Adding castor oil the vials, such that the content of
the organic solvent volume of the final volume formed was 20 or 30%
by vol/vol;
[0366] (4) Heating the vials until dissolution of the gelator and
TAF-fumarate;
[0367] (5) Allowing the mixture to cool to room temperature such
that gelation occurs.
[0368] Results:
[0369] Organogels were successfully obtained when using ascorbyl
palmitate as the GRAS gelator with TAF (as the fumarate salt form)
as the anti-retroviral co-gelator at a loading of up to 30%, 45%,
or 60% by wt/wt using the oil-based solvent castor oil. In the case
of sucrose palmitate it was not possible to obtain an organogels at
a TAF-fumarate salt loading of 45% by wt/wt. A sucrose palmitate
organogels with a TAF-fumarate salt loading of 60% by wt/wt was not
tested. Attempts to form organogels, as described above, with the
TAF-fumarate salt in olive oil, corn oil, sesame oil, or soybean
oil were not successful.
[0370] Optical microscopy of the organogel with 30% w/w TAF formed
with castor oil showed organized structures.
Example 17: In Vitro Release of TAF from Hydrogels
[0371] Methods:
[0372] Two hydrogels were prepared according to the method used in
Example 4 above. The hydrogels prepared were (1) 60% (w/w) TAF 30%
(w/v) using ascorbyl palmitate (AP) and propylene glycol (PG); and
(1) 30% (w/w) TAF 30% (w/v) using ascorbyl palmitate (AP) and
propylene glycol (PG).
[0373] 100 .mu.L of the (1) 60% (w/w) TAF 30% (w/v) AP-PG and (2)
30% (w/w) TAF 30% (w/v) AP-PG hydrogels were suspended in 1.5 mL of
PBS buffer containing 10% fetal bovine serum in a 100 kDa dialysis
bag. The dialysis bags were placed in a sink medium (PBS) in a 50
mL falcon tube. The tubes were kept at 37.degree. C. with shaking
at 95 rpm. 1 mL aliquots were removed from the sink medium and
replaced with 1 mL of fresh PBS at 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 8 hours. The
concentration of TAF in the removed aliquots was measured by HPLC
to calculate the % cumulative release.
[0374] Results:
[0375] As shown in FIG. 6, the % cumulative release of TAF from the
hydrogels was up to about 40-60% after 8 hours.
Example 18: In Vitro Release of TAF from Organogels
[0376] Methods:
[0377] Two organogels were prepared according to the method used in
Example 12 above. The organogels prepared were (1) 45% (w/w) TAF
20% (w/v) using triglycerol monostearate (TG18) and olive oil; and
(1) 45% (w/w) TAF 20% (w/v) using triglycerol monostearate (TG18)
and castor oil.
[0378] 100 .mu.L of the (1) 45% (w/w) TAF 20% (w/v) TG18-olive oil
and (2) 45% (w/w) TAF 20% (w/v) TG18-castor oil organogels were
suspended in 1.5 mL of PBS buffer containing 10% fetal bovine serum
in a 100 kDa dialysis bag. The dialysis bags were placed in a sink
medium (PBS) in a 50 mL falcon tube. The tubes were kept at
37.degree. C. with shaking at 95 rpm. 1 mL aliquots were removed
from the sink medium and replaced with 1 mL of fresh PBS at 0.5, 1,
2, 4, and 8 hours. The concentration of TAF in the removed aliquots
was measured by HPLC to calculate the % cumulative release.
[0379] Results:
[0380] As shown in FIG. 7, the % cumulative release of TAF from the
organogels was just below 40 to just below 60% after 8 hours. The %
cumulative release of TAF was found to depend upon the oil-based
solvent used in the organogels.
Example 19: In Vitro Release of TAF from Organogels Co-Assembled
with Cholesterol
[0381] Methods:
[0382] Two organogels were prepared according to the method used in
Example 12 above. The organogels prepared were (1) 60% (w/w) TAF
30% (w/v) using triglycerol monostearate (TG18) and castor oil; and
(1) 60% (w/w) TAF 30% (w/v) using triglycerol monostearate (TG18)
and a 50:50 weight ratio blend of cholesterol-to-castor oil.
[0383] 100 .mu.L of the (1) 60% (w/w) TAF 30% (w/v) TG18-castor oil
and (2) 60% (w/w) TAF 30% (w/v) TG18-cholesterol:castor oil (50:50)
organogels were suspended in 1.5 mL of PBS buffer containing 10%
fetal bovine serum in a 100 kDa dialysis bag. The dialysis bags
were placed in a sink medium (PBS) in a 50 mL falcon tube. The
tubes were kept at 37.degree. C. with shaking at 95 rpm. 1 mL
aliquots were removed from the sink medium and replaced with 1 mL
of fresh PBS at 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 8 hours. The concentration of TAF
in the removed aliquots was measured by HPLC to calculate the %
cumulative release.
[0384] Results:
[0385] As shown in FIG. 8, the % cumulative release of TAF from the
organogels without cholesterol present was just about 60% after 8
hours. The % cumulative release of TAF in the organogels containing
cholesterol was found to be just below about 20%. The % cumulative
release was found to depend upon the presence of cholesterol in the
organogels. In the case of cholesterol, it was found that addition
to the organogels reduced the rate of release of TAF as compared to
a gel without cholesterol.
Example 20: Stability of TAF in Hydrogels
[0386] Methods:
[0387] A hydrogel was prepared according to the method used in
Example 4 above. The hydrogel prepared was 30% w/w TAF 30% w/v
ascorbyl palmitate (AP) and propylene glycol.
[0388] 100 .mu.L of the 30% w/w TAF 30% w/v AP-PG hydrogel was
incubated at 4.degree. C., room temperature, and 37.degree. C.
After 1 and 4 weeks, samples of the hydrogel were dissolved in
methanol and the amount of TAF was quantified.
[0389] Results:
[0390] As shown in FIG. 9, the % TAF remaining from the hydrogel
was essentially 100% after 1 week. After 4 weeks, the % TAF
remaining in the samples stored at room temperature and 37.degree.
C. were reduced by approximately 10 and 40%, respectively.
Example 21: Stability of TAF in Organogels
[0391] Methods:
[0392] An organogel was prepared according to the method used in
Example 12 above. The organogel prepared was 30% w/w TAF 30% w/v
triglycerol monostearate (TG18) and olive oil.
[0393] 100 .mu.L of the 30% w/w TAF 30% w/v TG18-olive oil
organogel was incubated at 4.degree. C., room temperature, and
37.degree. C. After 1 and 4 weeks, samples of the organogel were
dissolved in DMSO and the amount of TAF was quantified.
[0394] Results:
[0395] As shown in FIG. 10, the % TAF remaining from the hydrogel
was essentially 100% after 1 week or 4 weeks without any
degradation found in TAF under any conditions tested.
Example 22: Hydrogel Formed with Tenofovir Prodrug (Octadecyl
hydrogen((((R)-1-(6-amino-9H-purin-9-yl)propan-2
yl)oxy)methyl)phosphonate)
[0396] Methods:
[0397] A hydrogel was formed by the steps of:
[0398] (1) Adding an amount of propylene glycol to a vial in an
amount such that the total solvent volume in the resulting hydrogel
is 25%;
[0399] (2) Adding the prodrug octadecyl
hydrogen((((R)-1-(6-amino-9H-purin-9-yl)propan-2
yl)oxy)methyl)phosphonate (as a gelator; see Example 3 for
synthesis) to the same vial in an amount such that the prodrug is
at 6% w/v of the resulting hydrogel;
[0400] (3) Heating the mixture until dissolution of the
prodrug;
[0401] (4) Adding water to the same vial in an amount such that the
total solvent volume of water in the resulting hydrogel is 75%;
[0402] (5) Heating the mixture to ensure dissolution of the
prodrug;
[0403] (6) Allowing the mixture to cool to room temperature such
that gelation occurs, typically within 15-20 minutes.
[0404] Results:
[0405] A hydrogel was successfully obtained when using the above
referenced prodrug as a gelator at a loading of 6% wt/vol and using
the organic solvent propylene glycol at 25% vol/vol. Attempts to
form hydrogels, as described above, with DMSO or NMP were not
successful. Optical microscopy of the gel formed with propylene
glycol showed no precipitates.
Example 23: Concentration Dependence of Tenofovir Prodrug
(Octadecyl hydrogen((((R)-1-(6-amino-9H-purin-9-yl)propan-2
yl)oxy)methyl)phosphonate) on Formation of Hydrogels
[0406] Methods:
[0407] Hydrogels were formed by the steps of:
[0408] (1) Adding an amount of NMP to vials 1-3 in an amount such
that the total solvent volume in the resulting hydrogel is 25%;
[0409] (2) Adding the prodrug octadecyl
hydrogen((((R)-1-(6-amino-9H-purin-9-yl)propan-2
yl)oxy)methyl)phosphonate (as a gelator; see Example 3 for
synthesis) to the same vial in an amount such that the prodrug is
at 6% w/v, 10% w/v, and 15% w/v of the resulting hydrogels in vials
1-3, respectively;
[0410] (3) Heating the mixture until dissolution of the
prodrug;
[0411] (4) Adding water to the same vial in an amount such that the
total solvent volume of water in the resulting hydrogel is 75%;
[0412] (5) Heating the mixture to ensure dissolution of the
prodrug;
[0413] (6) Allowing the mixture to cool to room temperature such
that gelation occurs, typically within 15-20 minutes.
[0414] Results:
[0415] A hydrogel was successfully obtained only when the above
referenced prodrug, as a gelator, was present at a loading higher
than 6% wt/vol and the organic solvent NMP was at 25% vol/vol. At
6% wt/vol loadings or less of prodrug no gel was obtained. The 10%
wt/vol and 15% wt/vol gels showed vesicular structures with no
precipitates when examined by optical microscopy.
Example 24: Organogel Formed with Tenofovir Prodrug (Octadecyl
hydrogen((((R)-1-(6-amino-9H-purin-9-yl)propan-2
yl)oxy)methyl)phosphonate)
[0416] Methods:
[0417] An organogel was formed by the steps of:
[0418] (1) Adding the prodrug octadecyl
hydrogen((((R)-1-(6-amino-9H-purin-9-yl)propan-2
yl)oxy)methyl)phosphonate (as a gelator) to a vial;
[0419] (2) Adding castor oil to the vial;
[0420] (3) Heating the mixture to ensure dissolution of the
prodrug;
[0421] (4) Allowing the mixture to cool to room temperature such
that gelation occurs, typically within 15-20 minutes.
[0422] Results:
[0423] An organogel was successfully obtained when using the above
referenced prodrug as a gelator at a loading of 6% wt/vol and using
the oil-based solvent of castor oil. Attempts to form organogels,
as described above, in olive oil and soybean oil were not
successful
[0424] The 6% wt/vol gel showed vesicular structures with no
precipitates when examined by optical microscopy.
Example 25: Hydrogels Formed with Tenofovir Prodrug (Decyl hydrogen
((((R)-1-(6-amino-9H-purin-9-yl)propan-2-yl)oxy)methyl)phosphonate)
[0425] Methods:
[0426] Hydrogels were formed by the steps of:
[0427] (1) Adding an amount of dimethyl sulfoxide, NMP, and
propylene glycol into vials 1, 2, and 3, respectively, each in an
amount that the total solvent volume in the resulting hydrogel is
25%;
[0428] (2) Adding the prodrug decyl hydrogen
((((R)-1-(6-amino-9H-purin-9-yl)propan-2-yl)oxy)methyl)phosphonate
(as a gelator; see Example 3 for synthesis) to vials 1, 2, and 3,
respectively in an amount such that the prodrug is at 6% w/v of the
resulting hydrogel;
[0429] (3) Heating the mixture until dissolution of the
prodrug;
[0430] (4) Adding water to vials 1-3 in an amount such that the
total solvent volume of water in the resulting hydrogel is 75%;
[0431] (5) Heating the mixture to ensure dissolution of the
prodrug;
[0432] (6) Allowing the mixture to cool to room temperature such
that gelation occurs, typically within 15-20 minutes.
[0433] Results:
[0434] Hydrogels were successfully obtained when using the above
referenced prodrug as a gelator at a loading of 6% wt/vol and using
the organic solvents dimethyl sulfoxide, NMP, and propylene glycol
at 25% vol/vol.
[0435] Optical microscopy of the formed gels showed fibrous
structures with no precipitates for dimethyl sulfoxide and
vesicular structures with no precipitates for NMP and propylene
glycol.
Example 26: Organogel Formed with Tenofovir Prodrug (Decyl hydrogen
((((R)-1-(6-amino-9H-purin-9-yl)propan-2-yl)oxy)methyl)phosphonate)
[0436] Methods:
[0437] An organogel was formed by the steps of:
[0438] (1) Adding the prodrug Decyl hydrogen
((((R)-1-(6-amino-9H-purin-9-yl)propan-2-yl)oxy)methyl)phosphonate
(as a gelator) to a vial;
[0439] (2) Adding castor oil to the vial;
[0440] (3) Heating the mixture to ensure dissolution of the
prodrug;
[0441] (4) Allowing the mixture to cool to room temperature such
that gelation occurs, typically within 15-20 minutes.
[0442] Results:
[0443] An organogel was successfully obtained when using the above
referenced prodrug as a gelator at a loading of 6% wt/vol and using
the oil-based solvent of castor oil. Attempts to form organogels,
as described above, with olive oil or soybean oil were
unsuccessful.
[0444] Optical microscopy of the gel formed with castor oil showed
fibrous structures with no precipitates.
[0445] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms
used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of
skill in the art to which the disclosed invention belongs.
Publications cited herein and the materials for which they are
cited are specifically incorporated by reference.
[0446] Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to
ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many
equivalents to the specific embodiments of the invention described
herein. Such equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the
following claims.
* * * * *