"For every person you put on treatment in the developing world, another two or three people get infected," said Dr. Ian McGowan, a leading investigator at Microbicide Trials Network, based at Magee-Womens Research Institute and the University of Pittsburgh in Oakland. "The figures are still depressing."

More than 33 million people are living with HIV, and doctors diagnose about 2.5 million cases a year globally, according to UNAIDS, the United Nations' AIDS-fighting agency.

Over the next four days, the Microbicide Trials Network, or MTN, will host an international gathering of HIV experts aimed at discussing ways to prevent the disease. The International Microbicides Conference, to be held at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Downtown, is co-chaired by McGowan and Sharon Hillier, the network's principal investigator and a world-known microbiologist.

"It's going to be difficult to treat our way out of the epidemic," McGowan said. "We really need to improve prevention."

One key approach could be the use of substances known as microbicides, which the federally funded MTN has studied for several years. The substances are gels or creams that can be applied internally or externally to prevent HIV transmission.

Despite setbacks with the first generation of microbicides, newer versions contain the same antiretroviral drugs used to treat HIV. Results of a small study in South Africa, involving 1,000 women, will be released this summer. If successful, the study could help build pressure to get the product to the community, McGowan said.

The promise of microbicides energizes advocates such as Jim Pickett, director of advocacy for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, a speaker at the conference. Pickett hopes microbicides will become accessible to everyone.

"We want to see products come to market that are safe and effective," he said.

The network last year began a large-scale clinical trial to test microbicides that contain antiretroviral drugs. The trial is expected to enroll 5,000 women in Uganda, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Luis Fabregas can be reached at lfabregas@tribweb.com or 412-320-7998.
 

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