Topical microbicides for disease prevention: status and challenges.
As the human immunodeficiency virus and sexually transmitted disease epidemics advance relentlessly, it is clear that an armamentarium of therapeutic and preventive methods will be essential to their containment. Topical microbicides--self-administered prophylactic agents applied to the vagina or rectum in various formulations--could be a crucial addition to that necessary armamentarium. This article provides an update on the dramatically broadening array of approaches being pursued in microbicide research and development and identifies critical challenges to progress.
Alliance for Microbicide Development, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, USA. pharrison@microbicide.org
Polly F
PF
Harrison
Zeda
Z
Rosenberg
Jana
J
Bowcut
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D018890:Chemoprevention; D005260:Female; D006678:HIV / Q000187:drug effects; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012007:Rectum / Q000382:microbiology; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014621:Vagina / Q000382:microbiology
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents