Topical Microbicides
The Microbicide Pipeline
There are a number of active components, including proteins, small molecule inhibitors, and natural products that are being developed as microbicide candidates. They include:
- Acid Buffers to maintain vaginal pH non-permissive for HIV and STI replication: BufferGel®, Acidform®
- Natural Defense Molecules to bolster existing cervicovaginal defenses: Lactobacillus (engineered or naturally occurring), Defensins, Protegrins
- Surfactants/Detergents to inactivate virus: C-31G (Savvy®), SDS, Benzalkonium Chloride
- Absorption Inhibitors to non-specifically or specifically block virus-cell association: Carraguard®, Cellulose sulfate (Ushercell®), Dextrin-2-sulfate (Emmelle®), PRO2000
- Entry Inhibitors to block gp120/CD4, gp41 and co-receptor interactions: SAMMA, PSC-RANTES, SCH-C, monoclonal antibodies, cyanovirin-N, β-cyclodextrin, Dendrimer SPL7013, T-20
- Multiple Mechanisms of Action (Combine several HIV targets): Topical estrogens, Doxovir, Cellulose Acetate phthalate (CAP), OTC Lubricants
- Reverse Transcriptase (RT) Inhibitors to block the transcription of HIV RNA to DNA: PMPA (Tenofovir®), UC-781, Calanolide A, DABO, WHI-05, -07, TMC-120 (Dapivirine®)
- Zinc Finger Inhibitors to block HIV gag from packaging HIV genetic material into new virions: Azodicarbomamide, Thioesters, PATES, DIBAs
- Uncharacterized Mechanism of Action: Praneen, Polyherbal vaginal tablet, Poke Antiviral protein (PAP)
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