Understanding HIV Transmission Mechanisms: Microbicides and PrEP

Transcript (.pdf)

For more information on this session, including access to speaker presentations, please see the conference Programme-at-a-Glance.

Understanding factors and mechanisms, cellular pathways, viral features and immune interaction of mucosal HIV transmission should provide important insight to design prevention methods to interrupt transmission. Animal and human studies aiming at blocking mucosal HIV transmission including microbicides and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) are ongoing. Outcomes of such studies may reshape the landscape of HIV prevention programmes. One of the most promising prevention technologies currently in trials are microbicides which contain antiretrovirals (also referred to as topical PrEP) and oral antiretroviral PrEP or a combination of both. Results of microbicides/PrEP trials are likely to begin appearing in late 2010 and early 2011. Research and development of novel prevention technologies should take into account ethical considerations and involvement of communities in study design. The session will also address challenges and limitations encountered during clinical trials from a community perspective.

Presentations in This Session:

Introduction

Characteristics of Transmitted Viruses in Acute and Early HIV Infection
Presented by Eric Hunter, United States

Oral PrEP During Mucosal SHIV Infection Reduces Viremia, Preserves CD4 Counts, and Raises Potent T Cell Responses
Presented by Ellen Kersh, United States

Understanding Mucosal Immunity and HIV Transmission: the Way to New Prevention Technologies
Presented by Robin Shattock, United Kingdom

Exposure of Extracellular and Intracellular Tenofovir and Emtricitabine in Mucosal Tissues After a Single of Fixed-Dose TDF/FTC: Implications for Pre-Exposure HIV Prophylaxis (PrEP)
Presented by Kristine Patterson, United States

Current and Planned HIV Prevention Trials: Microbicides and PrEP
Presented by Salim Abdool Karim, South Africa

Prevention Research Advocacy: Community Preparedness in HIV Prevention Trials and Use of Existing Prevention Methodologies
Presented by Charles Shagi, Tanzania, United Republic of

Conclusions

HIV Transmission Mechanisms: Microbicides and PrEP (.mp3)