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

02092_2 MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING STUDY OF THE DISTRIBUTION AND RETENTION OF DEXTRIN SULPHATE

Sawant Sangeeta
Miranda Cowen, Gabriel Conder, Nicola Kaganson, Andrew Nunn, Sheena Mccormack, Charles Lacey,, Wadi Gedroyc
MRC/DFID Microbicide development programme (MDP)

Background
Phase 1/2 studies have confirmed the safety and acceptability of Dextrin Sulphate (DS) as a vaginal microbicide. To provide effective protection against sexually transmitted diseases, DS should maximally cover the cervix and vagina before and after sex. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used to monitor the intravaginal distribution of microbicide gels. In this study we will determine whether sexual intercourse affects the distribution and retention of the gel over 24 hours.

Methods
The study has been approved by the local research ethics committee. It will be an open label prospective single centre trial with 6 subjects. Subjects will be scanned twice over two 24 hour periods, once having sexual intercourse following gel application and once abstaining from intercourse. DS will be mixed with gadolinium chelate and introduced intravaginally by the female volunteers using a conventional applicator. MRI assessments will be made prior to, and immediately after gel application and 12 hours and 24 hours after gel administration. Study end points will include signal intensity readings for gel at predetermined sites within the vagina, assessment of the degree of cervico-vaginal mucosa covered by gel and visual assessment of the uniformity and distribution of gel within the genital tract.

Results
Women will act as their own controls to enable us to estimate the effect of intercourse on the retention and distribution of gel over 24 hours. The data obtained from the assessment will be analysed using a paired student T test and 95% confidence intervals.

Discussion
Although there has been one previous report of N9 distribution after coitus, we will use MRI signal intensity readings to analyse the distribution and retention of DS following intercourse over a 24 hour period.

Dr Sangeeta Sawant
Clinical Trials Centre, Winston Churchill Wing, St Marys hospital Campus, Imperial College London, Norfolk place, London W2 1PG
(Telephone) 020 7886 6738 (Fax) 020 7886 6123 (E-mail) ssawant@imperial.ac.uk