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ABC7 News Speaks with TWC on new developments in microbicides from ICA 2010 |
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Wednesday, 21 July 2010 |
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ABC7 News spoke with Patricia Nalls, TWC founder/executive director about some of the exciting developments in microbicide research coming out of the International AIDS Conference (ICA) in Vienna for a piece titled "AIDS Activists Cheer HIV-blocking Gel."
"For the first time, a vaginal gel has proved capable of blocking HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. It cut in half a woman's chances of getting HIV from an infected partner in a study in South Africa. The gel is spiked with the drug tenofovir, which has only been offered in a pill form until now. Patricia Nalls, who was diagnosed HIV-positive in 1986, says the new drug is groundbreaking. "Hopefully it's a safe, accessible and discreet tool that she can go in the bathroom, she can put in, on, she can come out and she can have sex," Nalls said.
The study tested the gel in 900 women. It cut the risk of HIV infection by 39 percent for women who use it in three-quarters of their sexual encounters, and by 54 percent who used it more consistently. The results need to be confirmed in another study.
Experts see the drug as a tool for women to use to protect themselves when having sex with partners who refuse to wear condoms. The findings are exciting to some, but others are more hesitant about this progress.
"It gives women a little more power in the bedroom, in protecting themselves," said Sarah Blake.
"I think that it's good we're making headway with this, but nothing is better than abstinence," said Elaine Webber.
"It just doesn't seem like enough research has been done," said Ron Mezo. "It just doesn't provide enough protection."
These results don't necessarily mean that the drug will be available soon. To be licensed in the United States, a gel to prevent HIV infection must be 80-percent effective. Researchers are optimistic the medication's efficacy can be improved.
Watch the ABC7 News interveiw with Pat. |
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