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

02611_1 THE DEVELOPMENT OF A CYNOMOLOGOUS MACAQUE MODEL TO EVALUATE CANDIDATE VAGINAL MICROBICIDES

Kish-Catalone, Tina*
Pal, R.**, Parrish, J.**, Lu, W.*, Reitz, M.*, Gallo, R.*, Devico, A.*
* Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201 U.S.A. ** Advanced Bioscience Laboratories, Inc., Rockville, Maryland, 20850 U.S.A

The cynomologous macaque primate model is a useful animal model for assessing the safety and efficacy of candidate vaginal microbicides. A comprehensive toxicity examination following compound application is currently in progress using the candidate microbicide -2 RANTES. The impact of microbicide exposure to the cervicovaginal mucosa was determined by colposcopic evaluations for evidence of gross tissue irritation and by examination of cervicovaginal biopsies for disruption and inflammation of the mucosal epithelium. Cervicovaginal lavage fluid was collected to determine pH changes, fluctuations in chemokine expression profiles and quantitation of specific immune cells types following microbicide treatment. Cervicovaginal swabs were collected for cytology studies and to assess changes within the vaginal microflora following compound exposure. In addition, formulation design can be optimized in this model with respect to variables such as distribution and absorption. Vaginal challenge studies in cynomologous macaques are essential to determine the efficacy of candidate microbicides in the prevention of viral transmission. Studies examining the efficacy of –2 RANTES in preventing infection by SHIV-BaL are currently in progress. Overall, the cynomologous macaque primate model provides critical safety and efficacy data to evaluate candidate vaginal microbicides.

Tina Kish-Catalone, Ph.D.
725 West Lombard Street, Rm. S622, Baltimore, Maryland 21201 USA
(Telephone) (410) 706-4779 (Fax) (410) 706-4694 (E-mail) kish@umbi.umd.edu