14 DAY TRIAL // HIV is taking 3.3 million lives worldwide annually, mostly in Africa.
Now, Brazilian researchers have made a gel based on algae growing on Brazilian coasts with microbe-killing effect, aimed to protect women against sexual transmission of HIV. "The microbicide was 95 % efficient in the first phase of testing over the last three years," said the research's coordinator, immunologist Luiz Castello Branco, from the Oswaldo Cruz Institute in Rio de Janeiro. "A second round of tests will start in February on mice and live cells from the cervix," said Branco.
Human tests will be carried on in 2008, and the new type of microbicides, regarded as crucial to preventing HIV infection in women will be available in four years.
Scientists worldwide are trying to develop drug-delivery systems such as gels, rings, sponges or creams carrying microbicides to cut off HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. This way, women could protect themselves from HIV, especially in developing countries where AIDS is common, rape is rampant, or, conventional condoms are taboo, not reliably available or men resist using them.
The key to stopping HIV from spreading is giving women the possibility to protect themselves.
First-generation microbicides are expected to be 50-60% effective, but preliminary tests of the Brazil gel point to an even higher effectiveness. "We will certainly get to a final product with an efficiency above 50%. Right now we will test the product's safety and the ideal dose."
"A woman could use the gel without the husband knowing," Branco said.
"The gel -- based on a substance taken from Dictyota pfaffi (photo), a type of algae found on the Brazilian coast -- could be put on the market in seven years", said Branco.
"Millions of women are exposed to HIV and cannot ask their partners or husbands to use condoms." said Roger Pebody, a treatment specialist at the HIV charity of the Terrence Higgins Trust. "Microbicides will give many more women the power to protect themselves."
"Many products are already being tested in human trials and could be available in as little as five years."
"Microbicides look set to be the best new prevention technology for vulnerable women in the hardest hit countries of Central and Southern Africa."
