AIDS virus 'prevention' gel proves ineffective in trials

A large international trial of the vaginal microbicide, Pro 2000, in more than 9,000 women in four African countries found no evidence that it reduces the risk of HIV infection.

To date no gel microbicide has been shown to be effective against HIV infection and this trial showed conclusively that PRO 2000 gel was of no added benefit, ending scientific speculation about its clinical importance, the MRC said in a statement.

“This result is disheartening, particularly in light of the results of a smaller trial sponsored by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) which suggested that PRO 2000 could reduce the risk of HIV infection by 30 percent,” said Sheena McCormack of the Medical Research Council, who led the trial.

“Nevertheless we know this is an important result and it shows clearly the need to undertake trials which are large enough to provide definitive evidence for whether or not a product works.”

The MRC's trial was the largest international clinical trial to date into a preventative HIV gel. It took place between September 2005 and September 2009 involved 9,385 women and was carried out by the Microbicides Development Program (MDP), a not-for-profit partnership of 16 African and European research institutions.

The trial found that the risk of HIV infection in women who were given PRO 2000 gel was not significantly different than in women supplied with a placebo gel.

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