title: VivaGel (SPL7013 Gel): a candidate dendrimer--microbicide for the prevention of HIV and HSV infection.
abstract: Microbicides are compounds that applied vaginally or rectally, protect the user from sexually transmitted infections. Although no commercial product is yet available, many candidates are under development. A leading candidate, VivaGel (SPL7013 Gel) is the product of nanotechnology. The active ingredient is SPL7013, a dendrimer that was designed specifically with HIV and HSV antiviral activity and human safety in mind. SPL7013 has demonstrated efficacy against human immunodeficiency virus and herpes simplex virus in in vitro and animal models. VivaGel appears to be well tolerated in both animals and humans. This review summarizes the studies of VivaGel and its active ingredient, SPL7013.
authors.affiliation: Sealy Center for Vaccine Development and Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston,Texas 77555-1119, USA. rrupp@utmb.edu
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rupp
authors.forename: Susan L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Rosenthal
authors.forename: Lawrence R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Stanberry
mesh_terms: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D050091:Dendrimers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D011107:Polylysine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D050091:Dendrimers; D011107:Polylysine; C480351:astodrimer