PI Perspective #24

April 1998     View PDF

Self-Controlled HIV Prevention?

For women who have been following the development of microbicides for self-controlled methods to prevent infection from HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, data were reported on PRO 2000 Gel, a virucidal (kills the virus) topical gel that does not appear to significantly disrupt or inflame the cells of the vaginal tract. This has been one of the hurdles in the development of these compounds because the irritation caused by some gels increases the risk of infection rather than decreasing it. PRO 2000 Gel will be moving into larger clinical studies to determine its effectiveness in preventing HIV transmission.