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

02591 TMC120 BLOCKS HIV-1 INFECTION IN CELLULAR AND HUMAN CERVICAL TISSUE MODELS

Harman, Sarah*
Watts, P.*, Shattock, R.*, Griffin, G.*, Van Roey, J.**

Background
TMC120 is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) that demonstrates potent anti HIV-1 activity, a good resistance profile and efficacy in the vaginal hu-SCID mouse model of transmission. To evaluate the potential of this drug as active ingredient in a microbicide formulation, we have investigated TMC120 as a base compound and a formulated hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) gel using cellular and human cervical explant models.

Methods
Anti HIV-1 activity of TMC120 was assessed by treatment of virus, T-cell lines, or human cervical explants with either base compound or formulated gel. Results were obtained by p24 ELISA, quantitative PCR or reverse transcriptase assay. The effect of various concentrations of TMC120 on the viability of both vaginal epithelial cell lines and cervical tissue was determined using MTT assay, with Nonoxynol-9 as a control.

Results
TMC120 inhibits HIV-1 infection by X4 and R5 strains of virus in both cell based assays and cervical explant models, including migratory cells emanating from human cervical explants. Furthermore, TMC120 demonstrated significant anti-HIV memory effects, with cervical tissue resisting viral challenge up to 6 days post treatment (2 hours) with TMC120. These studies have been extended to assess the activity of TMC120 against cell-associated virus, and in the presence of semen.

Conclusions
TMC120 demonstrates good anti-viral activity in cellular and cervical explant models, and shows no toxicity at therapeutic levels, making it a good candidate microbicide.

Mrs Sarah Harman
St Georges Hosptial Medical School, Cranmer Terrace, London, SW17 0RE, United Kingdom
(Telephone) 0208 725 1432 (Fax) 0208 725 3487 (E-mail) s.harman@sghms.ac.uk