HIV in monkeys 'blocked by drug'

More: Full NYT article here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/15/health/15gel.html?oref=login

New Drug Is Said to Offer Hope for Vaginal Gel to Block H.I.V.
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: October 15, 2004



WASHINGTON, Oct. 14 (AP) - Scientists say they have a promising new lead in the quest to develop a vaginal gel that women could apply before sexual intercourse to block the AIDS virus.

The experimental drug, specifically designed to prevent the virus, H.I.V., from entering vaginal cells, is not ready for human testing. But it provided potent protection to female monkeys exposed to large amounts of a simian version of the AIDS virus, the researchers are reporting in the Friday issue of the journal Science.


The findings provide the first evidence that blocking the virus's preferred entry point is sufficient to prevent infection. Having such a target, said the lead researcher, Dr. Michael Lederman of Case Western Reserve University, "could simplify approaches to prevention."

AIDS specialists called the discovery a promising step in the quest for gels or creams that women could use to protect themselves without having to persuade their partners to use a condom. Topical microbicides, which would kill the virus on contact, have yet to realize their initial promise.

"There's been a lot of difficulty in getting microbicides to be both effective and nonirritating," Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said. "This is a step forward."

The research was financed by the United States and Swiss governments. H.I.V. infection is rising more rapidly among women than men in many parts of the world. Half of all of infected adults are women, up from 41 percent in 1997, according to the Joint United Nations Program on H.I.V./AIDS. In sub-Saharan Africa, the group says, the figure is nearly 60 percent.

The first microbicide product promoted for protection against the AIDS virus, a spermicide called nonoxynol-9, was ultimately found to increase the chance of infection because it irritated vaginal tissue.

Now, two experimental microbicides are in the final stage of testing in thousands of women in Africa. While advocates hope they will provide at least partial protection, they are not directed specifically at the way the virus invades cells in heterosexual intercourse.............

Just a few thoughts...

What sort of cost are we talking about here? Cost is a major consideration in countries where HIV is most prevalent.

What about lesions? It's all well and good if this works in an intact vagina, but if the virus can get across the mucosal surface, what's the point? (This is especially an issue, again, in areas with a lot of HIV, since these areas also have high levels of other STDs which compromise the integrity of these surfaces?)

Don't get me wrong -- such a product, if effective, would be very useful when used in conjunction with a condom ----- but if it is seen as something to be used instead of a condom, it seems risky indeed.




(Could get off my lazy ass and look at te original literature, but, well, it's Saturday and all...)