Vaginal rings provide new HIV protection for women

Vaginal rings, similar to those used for contraception and hormone replacement therapy, could protect women from sexually-transmitted HIV, according to research presented at the British Pharmaceutical Conference (BPC) in Manchester.

Researchers from the School of Pharmacy at Queen's University in Belfast, in conjunction with the International Partnership for Microbicides in the USA, found that a 'matrix' vaginal ring provided long-term release of the HIV microbicide dapivirine, both under laboratory conditions and in patients.

Despite more than 25 years of intensive research there is still no vaccine against HIV. The development of an effective HIV microbicide could play an important role in preventing women becoming infected with the virus. Microbicides are drugs that reduce the infectivity of microbes, such as viruses or bacteria.

Lead researcher, Dr Clare McCoy of Queen's University, said: "If matrix rings are shown to maintain local drug concentrations at levels capable of providing effective protection against HIV over long periods of time, then they may provide an effective preventative strategy against HIV infection.

"A microbicidal vaginal ring would essentially place a woman in greater control of her own sexual health and would have a significant impact on HIV transmission rates amongst the poorest women in the developing world."

"Vaginal ring devices are already commonly used for contraception and hormone replacement therapy. Although initial clinical trial results have proved extremely encouraging, the development of the dapivirine vaginal ring is still in the early stages. Further clinical trials are planned as part of the development programme of the International Partnership for Microbicides," Dr McCoy concluded.

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