Clinical Trials Begin for Testing Safety of HIV Prevention Gel

Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) are beginning a clinical trial to assess the safety of a vaginal gel containing the HIV drug tenofovir, designed to protect against HIV and sexually transmitted infections. They are seeking healthy woman between the ages of 19-50 to participate in the clinical trial. Those interested in participating should call 205-996-6126 for more information. Tenofovir is an anti-AIDS drug that stops HIV from invading cells that have not yet been infected with the virus. It already has been tested in thousands of HIV-infected persons and it is being used in an oral form for HIV treatment. Animal studies have shown that tenofovir gel can prevent transmission of a virus similar to HIV, but it is not yet known whether it has the same affect in humans.