A Study of BufferGel in Women

January 8, 2007 updated by: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

Phase I Vaginal Microbicide Study of BufferGel

The purpose of this study is to see if it is safe to use BufferGel in the vaginas of women who do not have HIV and who have a low risk of getting HIV.

Many new cases of HIV are the result of heterosexual activity. Condom use is currently the only effective way of preventing the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). However, women, who have a greater risk of getting HIV, are often unable to convince their partner to use a condom. Therefore, it is important to develop methods that prevent the spread of HIV and that are controlled by the woman, such as medicines used in the vagina. BufferGel is known to kill the organisms that cause STDs, including HIV. BufferGel may do this without causing genital irritation and sores as other medicines do. More studies are needed to see if this is true.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Heterosexual transmission of HIV presently accounts for the vast majority of new HIV infections worldwide. Currently the condom is the only method available that has been shown to be effective against HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). However, women who are at the greatest risk for acquiring HIV are often unable to negotiate condom use. Therefore, it is important that effective female-controlled barrier methods, such as topical microbicides, be made available to women. BufferGel has sufficient buffer capacity to acidify twice its own volume in human semen, which inactivates STD pathogens, including HIV. Unlike most other topical microbicides, BufferGel is non-detergent so it should not cause genital irritation and lesions. The safety and acceptability of BufferGel still need to be studied more carefully.

Participants are divided into two cohorts. Cohort IA consists of sexually abstinent women and cohort IB consists of sexually active women. Within each U.S. cohort, participants are assigned to apply BufferGel either once or twice daily. Within each international cohort, all participants apply BufferGel twice daily. Participants apply BufferGel for 14 days. Pelvic examinations are performed at Days 7 and 14.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment

40

Phase

  • Phase 1

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Rhode Island
      • Pawtucket, Rhode Island, United States, 02860
        • Mem Hosp of Rhode Island

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 45 years (Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

Female

Description

Inclusion Criteria

All participants must have:

  • HIV-negativity by licensed EIA.
  • Willingness and ability to complete a study diary.
  • A regular menstrual cycle with a minimum of 18 days between menses.
  • Ability to insert BufferGel daily as required by the protocol.

Cohort IA participants must:

  • Agree to abstain from sexual intercourse for the duration of the study.

Cohort IB participants must:

  • Agree to have vaginal intercourse at least 2 times per week and use non-lubricated condoms for each act of intercourse.
  • Have currently (for 3 months or longer) a single sexual partner who is at low-risk for HIV infection.

Exclusion Criteria

Co-existing Condition:

Participants with the following conditions or symptoms are excluded:

  • A Grade 3 or higher liver, renal, or hematology abnormality.
  • Menopausal.
  • Breakthrough menstrual bleeding.
  • Any STD or symptoms, as seen on pelvic exam, consistent with an STD or other genital tract infection or trauma including vaginitis, cervicitis, edema, erythema, ecchymosis, petechial hemorrhage, vulvar or cervicovaginal lesions or abrasions, subepithelial hemorrhage, or signs of genital tract infection (other than asymptomatic bacterial vaginosis) from laboratory evaluations.

Concurrent Medication:

Excluded:

  • Any vaginal product other than BufferGel, including lubricants and feminine hygiene products.
  • Vaginal drying agents.
  • Douche.
  • Participation in any other microbicide or contraceptive study.
  • Treatment for any STD.

Participants with the following prior conditions are excluded:

  • IUD, abnormal PAP smear, pregnancy, abortion, or gynecologic surgery in the last 3 months.
  • Any of the following side effects related to Depo-provera use in the past 2 months:
  • headaches, dizziness, abdominal pain, fatigue, or nervousness.

Prior Medication:

Excluded:

  • A course of antibiotic therapy (other than treatment for malaria) in the last 14 days.
  • Any spermicide within the past month.
  • Initiation of Depo-provera for contraceptive purposes in the last 6 months.

Risk Behavior:

Excluded:

  • Use of intravenous drugs currently or within the past year.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Prevention

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

Investigators

  • Study Chair: Kenneth Mayer
  • Study Chair: Kenrad Nelson

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

November 2, 1999

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 30, 2001

First Posted (Estimate)

August 31, 2001

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

January 9, 2007

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

January 8, 2007

Last Verified

March 1, 1999

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • HIVNET 009

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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