CNS: M2010

Showing posts with label M2010. Show all posts

New Science, New Hope: Microbicides and HIV prevention

At the forthcoming Biennial Conference of the Irish Forum for Global Health (IFGH) in Maynooth, Ireland, one of the two keynote guest lectures - The John Kevany Memorial lecture - will be delivered by Dr Zeda Rosenberg, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the International Partnership for Microbicides (IPM) on "New Science, New Hope: Giving Women Power over HIV/AIDS." The microbicides refer to a new type of product being developed that people could use vaginally or rectally to protect themselves from HIV and possibly other sexually transmitted infections. Read more

To listen to the audio podcast of this interaction, click here
"Use of lubricants may put individuals at higher risk" said Professor (Dr) Ian McGowan, co-chair of the International Microbicides Conference (M2010) in Pittsburgh, USA at a press conference. "One of the M2010 themes is the growing realization that there is a significant issue of HIV acquisition through rectal sex not only for men who have sex with men (MSM) who are clearly very visible HIV high risk group but increasingly for women who may be exposed to the virus rectally which is relatively new observation although may be going on for quite some time" added Prof Ian McGowan. Read more

To listen to the audio podcast of 2010 Omololu Falobi Award ceremony (at the M2010 closing ceremony) click here
"Omololu Falobi lived life only for 35 years. Yes he was in a hurry. He was a visionary. For those who knew him they would realize that this conference was part of his vision. M2010 is a turning point where it has become glaringly obvious that developing and rolling out new HIV prevention technologies is as much about community voices, politics, media, culture as it is about science. That's what Omololu thought of, that's what he dreamed of" said Manju Chatani Gada, at the closing ceremony of the International Microbicides Conference (M2010) in Pittsburgh, USA. Manju represents AVAC: Global Advocacy for HIV Prevention, African Microbicides Advocacy Coalition (AMAG) and has demonstrated a rich experience of community-centric responses to AIDS globally. Read more

To listen to the audio podcast, click here
It is well understood that both the efficacy and effectiveness of HIV Prevention research trial products (such as microbicides) depends upon their actual use by the clinical trial participants. "Use is a function of human behaviour and action that is affected by an individual, interpersonal, social, and cultural factors that operate interactively in complex, dynamic and varied ways across settings" said Dr Judith D Auerbach, Vice President for Science and Public Policy at the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, USA. Read more

Their scientific methods may have been quite different, but their conclusions were not. In asking whether drug resistance could be a problem if antiretroviral (ARV) drugs become a mainstay for HIV prevention, the two studies - one involving a mathematical model and the other assays of cells and tissue - arrived at the same answer. Resistance could happen if people who are unknowingly already infected use the approach. The results of these studies, which were reported today at the International Microbicides Conference (M2010) in Pittsburgh, USA, underscore the importance of incorporating routine HIV testing and ongoing monitoring of infection status in any prevention program that involves the use of ARVs. Read more

A flexible ring containing two anti-HIV drugs showed in laboratory tests that it can deliver therapeutic levels of both drugs for up to 30 days, researchers reported at the International Microbicides Conference (M2010) in Pittsburgh, USA, adding that they consider the ring near ready for testing of its safety in women. Read more

Young women of reproductive-age are among those at greatest risk of acquiring HIV, and several studies have suggested that during pregnancy women are even more susceptible to infection. Now, a new study finds that pregnancy is a time when men also are at greater risk. In fact, their risk doubles if their partner is both HIV-infected and pregnant. Read more

To listen to the audio podcast of Prof Robin Shattock click here

The microbicides field has undoubtedly moved and shifted a lot in the past decade. Now, with first generation microbicides candidate products up and gone, antiretroviral treatment (ART)-drug based microbicides in spotlight, and only three major microbicides efficacy studies remaining, the need to lobby for increased funding of microbicides research and development, was never so compelling.

The need to bolster HIV prevention has certainly not dimmed - and so has the need to up HIV treatment, care and support which is becoming acute on daily basis. The International Microbicides Conference (M2010) opened with the plenary that cited UNAIDS data, from New York Times news (At Front Lines, AIDS War Is Falling Apart), "For every 100 people put on antiretroviral treatment (ART), 250 people are getting newly infected with HIV." Read more