January 31, 2007

A Microbicide Flunks the Test

Trials testing cellulose sulfate gel as a microbicide to prevent HIV transmission when applied vaginally have been discontinued due to preliminary findings that it might actually increase HIV risk. Cellulose sulfate was one of four microbicides that had made it all the way to effectiveness trials. Researchers are still investigating why this one increased the risk of transmission and whether or not the results have implications for other microbicides.