Clinical trial finds microbicide promising as HIV prevention method for women

March 06, 2009

A clinical trial involving more than 3,000 women in the U.S. and southern Africa demonstrates for the first time the promise of a vaginal microbicide gel for preventing HIV infection in women. According to findings presented at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI), one 0.5 % dose of a microbicide designed to prevent HIV from attaching to cells in the genital tract, was 30% effective. While the results are encouraging, researchers on the study, known as HPTN 035, report that additional evidence is needed to determine more definitively its effectiveness.

"These findings provide the first signal that a microbicide gel may be able to prevent women from HIV infection," says Salim S. Abdool Karim, MD, PhD, professor of clinical Epidemiology at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, pro vice-chancellor (research) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban, South Africa, and director the Center for the AIDS Program of Research in South Africa, who led the multi-center study for the U.S.-based Microbicide Trials Network (MTN). "Indeed, for the millions of women at risk for HIV, especially young women in Africa, there is now a glimmer of hope. But these findings also indicate that more research is needed; we can't yet say that we have an effective microbicide."

Microbicides are substances intended to reduce or prevent the sexual transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections when applied topically. Several candidate microbicides are being tested in clinical trials, although none is yet approved or available for use. Earlier trials have yielded disappointing results or were stopped prematurely.

Currently, women comprise half of all people worldwide living with HIV. In sub-Saharan Africa, women represent nearly 60 % of adults living with HIV, and in several southern African countries young women are at least three times more likely to be HIV-positive than young men. In most cases, women become infected with HIV through sexual intercourse with an infected male partner. Although correct and consistent use of male condoms has been shown to prevent HIV infection, women often cannot negotiate condom use with their male partners. An effective microbicide could provide women with an HIV prevention method they initiate.

HPTN 035 evaluated the safety and effectiveness of two candidate microbicides for preventing male-to-female sexual transmission of HIV. The study was conducted between February 2005 and September 2008 and involved 3,099 women at six sites in Africa and one in the United States. In Africa, the sites were located in Durban and Hlabisa, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa; Harare, Zimbabwe; Lusaka, Zambia; Blantyre, Malawi; and Lilongwe, Malawi. The U.S. site was in Philadelphia.

"I am particularly impressed by and grateful to the women who took part in HPTN 035," commented Sharon Hillier, PhD, vice chairman and professor, department of obstetrics and gynecology and reproductive sciences at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and MTN principal investigator. "We have reached an important milestone in HIV prevention research, and these women deserve credit for the success of the study."

Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health

---

---

	Microbicides for the Protection of Materials: A Handbook by W. Paulus (Author) This handbook presents the first discussion of approximately 250 of the commonest microbicides and their related production processes. They are arranged in substance classes such as alcohols and oxidizing agents, and information about the physical and chemical properties of each microbicide, its toxicity and ecotoxicity, anitimicrobial effectiveness, mode of action and its uses is provided.
	Microbicide: Webster's Timeline History, 1957 - 2007 by Icon Group International (Author) Webster's bibliographic and event-based timelines are comprehensive in scope, covering virtually all topics, geographic locations and people. They do so from a linguistic point of view, and in the case of this book, the focus is on "Microbicide," including when used in literature (e.g. all authors that might have Microbicide in their name). As such, this book represents the largest compilation of timeline events associated with Microbicide when it is used in proper noun form. Webster's timelines cover bibliographic citations, patented inventions, as well as non-conventional and alternative meanings which capture ambiguities in usage. These furthermore cover all parts of speech (possessive, institutional usage, geographic usage) and contexts, including pop culture, the arts, social...
	The development of microbicides: A new method of HIV prevention for women (Working papers / Population Council, Programs Division) by Christopher Elias (Author)
	Business Wire : NIH Initiates International Microbicide Trial Including Pro 2000. by Business Wire (Publisher)
	Anti-HIV microbicides probably a decade away: dozens in development.(Clinical Rounds): An article from: Family Practice News by Sherry Boschert (Author) This digital document is an article from Family Practice News, published by International Medical News Group on April 15, 2004. The length of the article is 621 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser. Citation Details Title: Anti-HIV microbicides probably a decade away: dozens in development.(Clinical Rounds) Author: Sherry Boschert Publication: Family Practice News (Magazine/Journal) Date: April 15, 2004 Publisher: International Medical News Group Volume: 34 Issue: 8 Page: 25(1) Distributed by Thomson...
	Dozens in development: effective anti-HIV microbicides probably a decade away.(Rx): An article from: Internal Medicine News by Sherry Boschert (Author) This digital document is an article from Internal Medicine News, published by International Medical News Group on April 15, 2004. The length of the article is 633 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser. Citation Details Title: Dozens in development: effective anti-HIV microbicides probably a decade away.(Rx) Author: Sherry Boschert Publication: Internal Medicine News (Magazine/Journal) Date: April 15, 2004 Publisher: International Medical News Group Volume: 37 Issue: 8 Page: 68(1) Distributed by Thomson...
	After N-9, what next? Several potential microbicides are poised to be tested for effectiveness in humans.(nonoxynol-9): An article from: Network by Kathleen Henry Shears (Author) This digital document is an article from Network, published by Family Health International on June 22, 2003. The length of the article is 1636 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser. Citation Details Title: After N-9, what next? Several potential microbicides are poised to be tested for effectiveness in humans.(nonoxynol-9) Author: Kathleen Henry Shears Publication: Network (Newsletter) Date: June 22, 2003 Publisher: Family Health International Volume: 22 Issue: 4 Page: 16(3) Distributed by Thomson...
	Microbicides 2004, London, 28-31 March 2004: an overview of the issues.(HIV/AIDS): An article from: Reproductive Health Matters by Reproductive Health Matters (Publisher) This digital document is an article from Reproductive Health Matters, published by Reproductive Health Matters on November 1, 2004. The length of the article is 531 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser. Citation Details Title: Microbicides 2004, London, 28-31 March 2004: an overview of the issues.(HIV/AIDS) Publication: Reproductive Health Matters (Refereed) Date: November 1, 2004 Publisher: Reproductive Health Matters Volume: 12 Issue: 24 Page: 208(2) Distributed by Thomson...
	Spermicidal microbicide joins contraceptive armamentarium.: An article from: Skin & Allergy News by Gale Reference Team (Author) This digital document is an article from Skin & Allergy News, published by Thomson Gale on December 1, 2006. The length of the article is 472 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser. Citation Details Title: Spermicidal microbicide joins contraceptive armamentarium. Author: Gale Reference Team Publication: Skin & Allergy News (Magazine/Journal) Date: December 1, 2006 Publisher: Thomson Gale Volume: 37 Issue: 12 Page: 39(1) Distributed by Thomson...