Trials show AIDS gel doesn't work

THE frustrating quest to develop a vaginal gel to prevent HIV infection was dealt a fresh blow as researchers said the first prototype to complete advanced clinical trials was ineffective.

Carraguard, a candidate microbicide produced by the Population Council that had spent three years in large-scale "Phase 3" trials, was unable to prevent transmission of the AIDS virus, the investigators said.

But the gel was found to be safe for long-term vaginal use, a finding they described as extremely promising.

"This is the first phase 3 microbicide efficacy trial to be completed with no safety concerns," said principal investigator Khatija Ahmed.

"However, the study was unable to show Carraguard's efficacy in preventing male-to-female transmission of HIV."

The trial ran from March 2004 to March 2007 at three sites in South Africa among 6262 women.

Read More