Are microbicides the condom of the future?
Micro…what?
Microbicides are a protective material inserted into the vagina or rectum prior to intercourse. Microbicides can come in the form of gels, creams, suppositories, films, or as a sponge or ring and release an active ingredient that is designed to destroy microbes (bacteria and viruses) or to reduce their ability to establish an infection.
To date, efforts to develop a microbicide that effectively prevents the transmission of HIV in real world situations have failed. Factors from application to storage have stymied researchers. Despite these stumbling blocks, scientists and researchers are just beginning to see the potential of microbicide technology and already medical breakthroughs have taken place. The latest one occurred earlier this month at the University of Utah.
What is it?
A new kind of microbicidal "molecular condom". Before sex, women insert a vaginal gel that turns semisolid in the presence of semen, trapping HIV particles in a microscopic mesh so they can't infect vaginal cells. The gel will potentially block sperm and other STI viruses. In addition to preventing STI/HIV transmission, this gel could act as a contraceptive.
When was it discovered?
August 2009
Who is doing the research?
Dr Kiser, Dr Jay and other University of Utah scientists. The study was funded by National Institutes of Health. The University of Utah research team is continuing the effort to develop microbicides to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS thanks to a $100,000 grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Why is this groundbreaking?
The discovery of the new “molecular condom” is groundbreaking because of how it prevents transmission, how it is applied, the social implications, and the low cost to produce.
How does it work?
It is the first vaginal gel designed to prevent the movement of the HIV virus rather then trying to kill the virus. The barrier would last until the end of the virus’s lifecycle. Researcher’s are hopeful that this will be a better strategy to approach HIV, a very fragile virus which cannot live long without a host.
Unlike other microbicides which have to be taken right before sex, this new microbicide technology would be applied once a day or even once a month.
What is the cost to produce?
The cost to produce a male condom is approximately three cents, a female condom is 60 cents. Dr. Kiser has sated that the “molecular condom” should cost no more than five cents for each dose, with a shelf price comparable to male condoms. How long until this treatment is available? It is still around 5 years away from being tested in humans. Researchers estimate 10 years before it might be in widespread use.
Other issues:
Because this microbicide doesn’t need to be applied right before sex, women are able to take control of their own prevention strategies. This is especially helpful for women living in third-world countries where HIV/AIDS is widespread and they are not able to access condoms or successfully negotiate condom use with sexual partners.
Unfortunately, this product is designed only for protection during vaginal intercourse. The product would not effectively prevent transmission of HIV/STI’s that occur during anal or oral sex.
For more on this study:
BBC
Utah Engineering
The Globe and Mail
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