Microbicides 2004 Microbicides 200428-31 March 2004, Hilton London MetropoleThe conference42 million men, women and children worldwide were living with HIV by the end of December 2002 (source: UNAIDS), including five million newly-infected during that year alone. Another 45 million people will become infected between 2002 and 2010, unless the current transmission rates can be vastly reduced. Of the 42 million, 29.4 million live in sub-Saharan Africa and 58% of them are women. Not only are women more susceptible to HIV infection, many are powerless to insist on the use of condoms or other methods of protecting themselves. In this context, and with the knowledge that an effective HIV vaccine is unlikely to be available for several years, the need for an effective topical microbicide grows ever more urgent. 2004 should prove to be a landmark year in the field of microbicide development as the first Phase III trials of novel products are due to start – the next step along the road to making a microbicide available to the millions worldwide in desperate need of protection.The aims of the Microbicides 2004 conference are to:Report novel or innovative work in the microbicides fieldProvide updates on recent microbicides research, divided into three tracks: basic science, clinical science, and behavioural science (including public health and the microbicide marketplace)Provide a forum for the discussion of new developments in microbicide research including ethical, clinical, behavioural and methodological issuesPresent opportunities for knowledge-sharing between microbicide researchers, public-health workers and advocacy organisations.There will be an opening ceremony on the evening of Sunday 28 March at which politicians, policy makers and the international media are expected. The conference will run for a full three days, each of which will contain:Scientific overviews and presentations with plenary sessions, invited lecturers and presentations of original researchWorkshops to review issues unique to microbicides such as trial design and outcome measures, and ethical issues in the clinical trials of microbicidesPoster sessions. Focus on LondonFollowing the successful Microbicides conferences in Washington in 2000 and Antwerp in 2002, March 2004 sees the focus move to London.The venue is the Hilton Metropole Hotel, two minutes by taxi from Paddington station and the Heathrow Express, with a journey time from the airport of 15 minutes. The hotel is in walking distance of Hyde Park and London’s main shopping streets, and close to Imperial College. Accommodation will be available at the venue and other hotels in the vicinity.London in March offers a variety of diversions for out-of-conference relaxation, including sight-seeing and shopping; the arts and the theatre; and pubs, clubs and restaurants to suit every taste. Conference staff will be on hand to help delegates plan their spare time.To book your place or find out more information, e-mail info@microbicides2004.org.uk or telephone the Event Office on +44 (0) 20 7720 4411
Oral: invited speaker Oral: Track A Oral: Track B Oral: Track C Poster: Track A Poster: Track B Poster: Track C Abstract only Authors

02655 VAGINAL TENOFOVIR GEL TOLERABILITY IN HIV-UNINFECTED WOMEN AND ABSTINENT HIV-INFECTED WOMEN:HPTN 050

Maslankowski, Lisa1
Mayer, K2, El-Sadr, W3, Justman, J4, Masse, B5, Kwiecien, A.6, Hendrix, C7, Rooney, J8, Soto-Torres, L9
(Affiliations use * etc) 1University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine 2Brown University/Miriam Hospital 3Harlem Hospital 4Bronx-Lebanon Hospital, 5SCHARP 6Family Health International / HPTN Core 7Johns Hopkins University, 8 Gilead Sciences 9Division of AIDS, NIAID, NIH for The HPTN 050 Protocol Team

Objective: To establish the highest tolerated dose and frequency of once daily or twice daily 0.3% and 1% Tenofovir (PMPA) vaginal gel in abstinent HIV-uninfected (HIV-) women and to evaluate this dose in sexually active HIV- women and abstinent HIV-infected (HIV+) women. To describe systemic pharmacokinetics (PK) of Tenofovir vaginal gel in a subset of participants.

Methods: Safety labs and pelvic exams were completed at screening, enrollment, Day 2-3, Day 7 and Day 14 visits with colposcopy at enrollment and the Day 14 visit. Women used study product for 14 consecutive days. PK samples were collected after a single application and on Day 13.

Results: Seventy-two women were enrolled. Since 1% BID was as well tolerated as lower doses/frequencies, it was evaluated in the sexually active HIV- and abstinent HIV+ cohorts. Adverse events (AEs) were reported in 66 women. Most were mild genital AEs such as erythema(n=15), ecchymosis/petechiae(n=13), or pruritis (n=12). One severe adverse event (abdominal pain) possibly related to product was reported. Ten of 19 women in the PK subset had low but detectable tenofovir serum concentrations (lower level of quantification=2.99 ng/ml, Cmax ranged from 3.01 – 25.83).

Conclusion: Tenofovir (PMPA) vaginal gel 1% BID is well tolerated in HIV- women and abstinent HIV+ women with minimal systemic absorption. Evaluation of sexually active HIV+ women is underway. Phase II extended safety and effectiveness testing is planned.

Dr. Lisa Maslankowski
3535 Market St, Suite 4051, Philadelphia, PA USA 19104
(Telephone) 1-215-746-7355 (Fax) 1-215-746-7377 (E-mail) LISAMASL@MAIL.MED.UPENN.EDU