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PRO 2000, the microbicide gel, has failed to protect women against HIV infection in the largest microbicide study to date. read more »

Two ‘broadly neutralising’ antibodies have recently been isolated from a sub­Saharan African donor.

Apparently, these particular antibodies not only target multiple strains of HIV (i.e., they are broadly neutralising) but they also bind tightly to the virusA small infective organism which is incapable of reproducing outside a host cell. and work at minute levels compared to previously discovered neutralising antibodies. read more »

Most of the recent attention in HIV research has focused on treatments that attack HIV itself, or work against the virusA small infective organism which is incapable of reproducing outside a host cell. in the body. However, there is a significant move towards looking at ways to prevent, treat or repair immune system damage caused by HIV. read more »

John Daye reports on treatments developments from the 16th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) in Montréal, Canada. read more »

There are numerous issues to be considered before going on a clinical trialA clinicalPertaining to or founded on observation and treatment of participants, as distinguished from theoretical or basic science. trial is a research study to answer specific questions about vaccines or new therapies or new ways of using known treatments. Clinical trials are used to determine whether new drugs or treatments are both safe and effective. Carefully conducted clinical trials are the fastest and safest way to find treatments that work in people. Trials are in four phases: Phase IA clinical trial designed to establish whether an experimental drug is safe for humans to take. Phase I studies determine the metabolism and pharmacologic actions of drugs in humans, the side effects associated with increasing doses, and look for early evidence of effectiveness; these studies may include either people with HIV, HIV-negative volunteers, or both tests a new drug or treatment in a small group; Phase IIA smaller clinical trial designed to establish whether a drug is effective. Phase II studies are conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the drug for a particular indication or indications in patients with the disease or condition under study and to determine the common short-term side effects and risks. If there is evidence that the drug is effective, a Phase III study is undertaken, with a larger number of participaants, to confirm this. expands the study to a larger group of people; Phase IIIA large clinical trial designed to establish whether a drug is effective and safe enough for widespread use. Phase III studies include expanded controlled and uncontrolled trials after preliminary evidence suggesting effectiveness of the drug has been obtained, and are intended to gather additional information to evaluate the overall benefit-risk relationship of the drug and provide and adequate basis for physician labeling. expands the study to an even larger group of people; and Phase IVPost-marketing studies to delineate additional information including the drug's risks, benefits, and optimal use. takes place after the drug or treatment has been licensed and marketed. , writes PETER WATTS. read more »

Australian researchers have released the results of an early trial of an experimental(Of a drug) Not licensed for use in humans, or as a treatment for a particular condition. Experimental drugs are studied in clinical trials to determine their safety and efficacy(Of a drug or treatment). The maximum ability of a drug or treatment to produce a result regardless of dosage. A drug passes efficacy trials if it is effective at the dose tested and against the illness for which it is prescribed. In the standard procedure, Phase II clinical trials gauge efficacy, and Phase III trials confirm it., and are sometimes made available via Special Access Schemes prior to their approval. vaccine which shows promise as a treatment for HIV. The results are considered significant partly because previous attempts to develop a therapeutic HIV vaccine have mostly been abandoned due to poor outcomes. read more »

The annual conference of the Australasian Society for HIV Medicine (ASHMAustralasian Society for HIV Medicine. The peak Australasian organisation representing the medical and health sector in HIV/AIDS and related areas. ) is Australia’s only regular HIV medical conference. PAUL KIDD reports on the latest medical developments discussed at this year’s conference in Cairns. read more »

Selected brief news items from the pages of Positive Living. read more »

The extraordinary, perplexing and at times alarming tale of a country doctor, a milkmaid, a cow named Blossom and a very lucky young boy. read more »

A report from the 8th European Conference on the ClinicalPertaining to or founded on observation and treatment of participants, as distinguished from theoretical or basic science. Aspects and Treatment of HIV Infection, held in Athens, Greece in October, 2001. read more »