Whither or wither microbicides?
After disappointing results from all efficacy trials conducted to date, the field of microbicides research now faces substantial challenges. Poor coordination among interested parties and the choice of nonvalidated scientific targets for phase III studies have hampered progress and created mistrust about the use of microbicides as a method to prevent HIV-1 sexual transmission. Although new promising strategies are available, there will need to be serious reappraisals of how decisions are made to advance the next generations of candidates into clinical trials, and the use of appropriate animal models in this process will be critical.
Grant
Robert M
RM
J. David Gladstone Institutes, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94518, USA.
Hamer
Dean
D
Hope
Thomas
T
Johnston
Rowena
R
Lange
Joep
J
Lederman
Michael M
MM
Lieberman
Judy
J
Miller
Christopher J
CJ
Moore
John P
JP
Mosier
Donald E
DE
Richman
Douglas D
DD
Schooley
Robert T
RT
Springer
Marty S
MS
Veazey
Ronald S
RS
Wainberg
Mark A
MA
D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000818:Animals; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance; D000071228:Polyelectrolytes; D011108:Polymers / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011323:Primates; D018894:Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014623:Vaginal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D000071228:Polyelectrolytes; D011108:Polymers; D018894:Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors