new prevention technologies

The field is finally moving toward consensus around the definition of a topical microbicide. In every presentation I attended during AIDS 2008 that provided a definition of a topical microbicide, they all stated the exact same definition and it included the word "rectal." It's about time!

I attend a HIV, STI, or microbicide conference nearly every quarter and this is the first time I have heard the definition articulated in a consistent way across presentations made by researchers from different organizations with different research agendas. Researchers from the Microbicide Trials Network (MTN), Center for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), and the International Partnership for Microbicides (IPM), for example, were all on the same page with regard to the definition of a topical microbicide. While these researchers and organizations may all have different strategies, plans, and foci for the development of a microbicide, it was great to finally see consistency and the word "rectal" included in the basic definition of the concept.

For the record, at least for the time being, let's use this basic definition when we describe the concept of a topical microbicide: a product that can be applied to the vaginal and rectal mucosa with the intention of preventing the transmission of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.  read more »

Around the world (including the United States), thousands of HIV-negative people are enrolled in clinical trials to determine whether taking anti-retroviral drugs could reduce the risk of being infected with HIV. This strategy is called pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP.

By the middle of next year, more people will be enrolling in PrEP trials than in all HIV vaccine and microbicide efficacy trials combined. Advocates will need to weigh in now, as results from current efficacy trials may become available beginning as early as 2009. There is a role for prevention research advocates to seek answers to questions that can help to determine the next steps in the PrEP research program, to prepare for the trial results, and to ensure access to PrEP if proven effective.  read more »

In response to this challenge, the Prevention Research Advocacy Working Group (PRAWG) of HIV/AIDS Mobilization Project (CHAMP) recently formed a PrEP Committee. The PrEP Committee is composed of researchers and community advocates, including representatives from AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition (AVAC), Global Campaign for Microbicides & Project Inform. It is focused on identifying questions that must be answered, fostering discussions in and beyond our communities about the opportunities and challenges of this potentially successful intervention, and preparing for advocacy efforts to ensure access to PrEP if proven effective.

"Rectal microbicides are incredibly important, and need to be developed."

- Zeda Rosenberg, International Partnership for Microbicides

Monday, August 4, AIDS 2008

Read more on the IRMA blog - with link to the session's audio podcast and video as well - courtesy of Kaiser.

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