Long-acting three-drug combination anti-HIV nanoparticles enhance drug exposure in primate plasma and cells within lymph nodes and blood.

Insufficient HIV drug levels in lymph nodes have been linked to viral persistence. To overcome lymphatic drug insufficiency, we developed and evaluated in primates a lipid-drug nanoparticle containing lopinavir, ritonavir, and tenofovir. These nanoparticles produced over 50-fold higher intracellular lopinavir, ritonavir and tenofovir concentrations in lymph nodes compared to free drug. Plasma and intracellular drug levels in blood were enhanced and sustained for 7 days after a single subcutaneous dose, exceeding that achievable with current oral therapy.