Second International Congress Drug Therapy in HIV Infection 18-22 November 1994 Glasgow, UK

VIRUCIDAL AGENTS AGAINST HIV TRANSMISSION

A.B.Stone
Medical Research Council, 20 Park Crescent, London

Int Cong Drug Therapy HIV 1994 Nov 18-22;2:Abstract No. 9.1
AIDS 1994, Vol. 8 (Suppl. 4);S8

The development of virucidal products as intravaginal chemical barriers against HIV would widen the range of options for safer sex and would provide a method which - unlike the condom - could be under the woman's control. Numerous agents, acting by a variety of mechanisms, are capable of inactivating HIV and HIV-infected cells in vitro. These include surfactants (some already licensed as spermicidal contraceptives), sulphated polysaccharides, ionophores and specific antibodies. Antiretroviral drugs are also potentially useful as intravaginal agents. The challenge is to identify substances - and methods of delivering them - which are safe to use intravaginally; that is, which neither cause unacceptable levels of inflammation to the exposed tissues (which could in, principle increase the risk of HIV transmission) nor give rise to systemic toxicity. The effects of such agents on the normal vaginal flora, responsible for lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide production which help to protect the healthy genital tract from colonisation by pathogens, also need to be taken into account. The MRC is promoting a multidisciplinary initiative to develop effective,safe and acceptable virucidal products. The strategy includes in vitro testing for anti-HIV efficacy and cytotoxicity, preclinical studies in animals, Phase 1 clinical studies of safety and microbiology, product formulation and delivery, and studies related to product acceptability. The aim is to undertake the groundwork for caring out, in due course, Phase 3 prevention trials in populations at high risk of HIV infection. In order to encourage a coordinated international effort in this developing field, close links have been established with other agencies supporting work on virucides.

Presenting author: A.B.Stone

1994-11-18
9.1

Originally published in AIDS Volume 8, Supplement 4 and hosted with permission of the publisher Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 250 Waterloo Road, London, SE1 8RD, UK. Tel: +44 (0)20 7981 0700 Fax: +44 (0) 7981 0701

Copyright © 1994 - Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved. All abstracts from the 2nd International Congress Drug Therapy in HIV Infection, appearing on the AEGiS web site, are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, or otherwise published without the prior written permission of Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice. However, provided that you maintain all copyright and other notices contained therein, you may download material (one machine readable copy and one print copy per page) for your personal, non-commercial use only.

http://www.aidsonline.com http://www.ovid.com