Objective: Dendrimers have been shown as effective and safe anti-HIV compounds with great potential as topical microbicides. Currently, the most advanced microbicides are based on antiretrovirals. However, nowadays none of them has shown any success in clinical trials.
Design: Antiviral activity and combinatorial profile of different combinations between CCR5 co-receptor antagonist, maraviroc (MRV), and polyanionic carbosilane dendrimers against HIV-1 strains were evaluated.
Methods: Cellular in-vitro models were used to evaluate the antiviral action of combinations of carbosilane dendrimers/MRV against CCR5 and dual tropic viral strains in TZM.bl cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Combinatorial analysis was performed using Calcusyn software.
Results: In the majority of combinations tested, dendrimers showed synergistic profile with MRV against CCR5 and dual tropic HIV-1.
Conclusion: The evaluated two-drug combinations increase their antiviral potency supporting further clinical investigations to develop combinatorial formulated topical microbicides to fight against the worldwide HIV spread.