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

02503 K5 POLYSACCHARIDE DERIVATIVE: POTENTIAL CANDIDATE MICROBICIDE FOR PREVENTION OF HIV-1 INFECTION

Vicenzi, Elisa*
Pacciarini, F*, Piemonti, L*, Fortis, C*, Ghezzi, S*, Zoppetti, G°, Oreste, P°, Poli, G*
*San Rafaele Scientific Insitute, Milano, Italy; °Glycores 2000 S R L, Milano, Italy

We have previously described that a derivative of Escherichia Coli K5 polysaccharide with high degree of sulfation [K5-N,OS(H)] inhibits HIV-1 attachment and/or entry (AIDS 17, 177-181, 2003). Here we have investigated the potential inhibitory effects of K5-N,OS(H) on the replication of several primary HIV isolates. In addition we have tested the efficacy of K5-N,OS(H) in preventing dendritic cells (DC)-mediated infection of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). K5-N,OS(H) potently inhibited the replication of all (30 out of 30) tested primary HIV isolates including 16 R5, 4 X4 and 10 R5X4 viruses in T cell blasts. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) was 2.1± 1.6 µg/ml, without evidence of cytotoxicity even at the maximal concentration tested (100 µg/ml). K5-N,OS(H) (100 µg/ml) abolished R5 HIV replication in either DC cultivated alone or in DC-PBMC co-cultures. X4 HIV replication was only detected in DC-PBMC co-cultures and it was also suppressed by this concentration of K5-N,OS(H).

In conclusion, the K5-N,OS(H) antiviral activity against several primary HIV-1 isolates with different coreceptor usage in both T cell blasts, DC, and DC-mediated PBMC infection coupled with the lack of penetration into cells, render this molecule a potential candidate as a topical microbicide for preventing sexual HIV-1 transmission.

Dr Elisa Vicenzi
Lab P2/P3, DIBIT, Via Olgettina 58, 20132 Milano, Italy
(Telephone) 390226434908 (Fax) 390226434905 (E-mail) vicenzi.elisa@hsr.it