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The Science
On this page, you will find:
- How might microbicides work?
- Microbicides are scientifically achievable
- The pipeline of potential products is full and promising
How might microbicides work?
This question has many answers, depending on which candidate microbicide you are talking about. The term "microbicides" really refers to a broad range of products whose common function is to prevent infection by HIV and other sexually transmitted pathogens. However, there are many mechanisms of action by which various microbicides could work.
HIV and STI pathogens attack the body in a variety of ways, and an effective microbicide will fight infection by stopping this attack at one or more stages in the process. Most microbicides currently under development act by some combination of four different mechanisms of action.
- killing or inactivating pathogens
- strengthening the body's normal defences
- blocking inhibiting viral entry
- inhibiting viral replication
Eventually, microbicide products will probably combine a variety of these approaches in order to maximise their effectiveness. More on mechanisms…
Microbicides are scientifically achievable.
At least five international scientific meetings have concluded that microbicide development is both necessary and feasible [See timeline]. The Rockefeller Foundation convened a high level panel of scientists to evaluate the field and identify opportunities for accelerating microbicide science. The Scientific Working Group of the Rockefeller Initiative concluded:
Accelerating the development of microbicides is a realistic and important near-term opportunity. The challenges facing microbicide development are well understood and manageable. The first generation of microbicide products is now undergoing clinical testing, and, if effective, should be on the market well within this decade. Subsequent product generations will deliver improved effectiveness, a broader spectrum of activity, and enhanced acceptability for consumers.
For the entire Rockefeller report on science, click 
pdf
The pipeline of potential products is full and promising.
- More than 30 product leads are under development
- 12 of these products are currently in clinical trials
- Three products are in phase 2/2B trials and phase 3 effectiveness trials (the last stage of testing)
- The rest are in human safety testing
