About 10 000 African women are to take part in a major British study into a gel that could help prevent the spread of HIV, scientists said on Tuesday.
The women are to participate in the three- to four-year trial of microbicide PRO 2000 to find out its effectiveness at protecting against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Laboratory tests have shown the gel can block the entry of STIs in humans and protect animals against infection.
PRO 2000, developed by United States pharmaceutical company Indevus, is applied to the vagina in gel form.
Women in South Africa and Uganda will begin enrolling in the trial this week, before the trial extends to Tanzania and Zambia later this year.
Split into three groups, the women will be given either a control gel or PRO 2000 at one of two different strengths.
They will apply it before having sex, but will also receive condoms and sexual health counselling.
The study is part of a £42-million (R492-million) programme funded by Britain’s Department for International Development and the Medical Research Council (MRC).
Dr Anatoli Kamali, from the MRC unit in Uganda, said: ”There is a significant need among sexually active women for female-controlled methods of HIV and STI prevention.
”The highest HIV infection rates are found in sub-Saharan Africa, which is why these large-scale trials are being conducted in this area.”
The MRC’s clinical-trials manager, Julie Bakobaki, said: ”Early safety studies of this particular microbicide have been extremely encouraging.
”It’s very exciting after four years of preparatory work to reach the point of enrolment into this trial.
”Showing this microbicide protects against HIV would represent a tremendous breakthrough in the fight against the spread of HIV/Aids.”
Dr Sibongile Walaza, from the Reproductive Health Research Unit in Johannesburg, added: ”If microbicides are shown to be effective, they would ideally be used in addition to condoms, but even on their own they could significantly reduce transmission of HIV and STIs.” — Sapa-AFP