The primary aims of the study were to assess the safety and acceptability of PC-515 when applied vaginally at least three times weekly for 12 months. Secondary aims were to gather preliminary data on Carraguard's effectiveness in preventing male-to-female transmission of HIV, and other STIs. The hypothesis was that Carraguard would cause little or no significant irritation, including lesions; and that women would find Carraguard acceptable. The study was not powered to determine effectiveness, but based on safety, acceptability and feasibility parameters, the outcome of the Phase 2 trial would enable a decision whether or not to proceed to a Phase 3 trial.
Carraguard™ (PC-515), the Population Council's lead candidate microbicide, was tested in a triple-masked, randomized, placebo-controlled trial fielded in one site in Chiang Rai, northern Thailand. The primary aims of the study were to assess Carraguard's safety (toxicity) - including signs of local irritation, such as itching or burning; changes in vaginal flora; and incidence of abnormal external genital, vaginal, and cervical findings - when applied vaginally for 12 months; to evaluate acceptability; to assess feasibility of conducting a large scale microbicide trial in a non-sex worker population; to gauge women's reactions to a non-contraceptive microbicide; and to explore microbicide use dynamics in a Thai population. Secondary aims were to investigate HIV infections averted (preliminary indications); other sexually transmitted infections averted - including C. trachomatis, N. gonorrhoeae, T. vaginalis, and T. pallidum (preliminary indications); and effect on cervical cytology.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
165
Chiang Rai Health Club
Chiang Rai, Thailand
Safety: Genital exam & interview for symptoms after 14 days & monthly thereafter; colposcopy done throughout trial at clinicians' discretion; monthly testing to detect changes in vagina flora.
Compliance: collection of applicators and interview(monthly)
Acceptability: interview (quarterly)
Preliminary effectiveness: Swabs taken to test for sexually transmitted infections - gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis and for genital ulcer disease, if ulceration was detected; blood drawn for syphilis and HIV testing and for HSV-2 Pap smear to det
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