Population Council to present research on novel approaches to HIV prevention at HIV R4P 2014

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Population CouncilOct 27 2014

The Population Council will present new research on novel approaches to HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and unintended pregnancy prevention at the HIV Research for Prevention Conference, (HIV R4P) in Cape Town, South Africa. HIV R4P, which runs 28–31 October, is the first global scientific meeting dedicated exclusively to research on biomedical HIV prevention.

Presentations by Council researchers include advances in the development of a microbicide/contraceptive intravaginal ring (IVR) to protect against HIV, HPV, herpes (HSV-2), and unintended pregnancy (oral abstract session 3, 28 October, 11:00 am–12:30 pm); the first-in-human safety and pharmacokinetics study of the Council's ARV-based microbicide gel, PC-1005 (poster session, 29 October, 10:00–11:00 am and 5:00–6:30 pm); and the activity of the non-ARV microbicide griffithsin against HSV-2 and human papillomavirus (HPV) (poster session, 30 October, 10:00–11:00 am and 5:00–6:30 pm).

Other Council studies on the HIV R4P agenda include new research on the connection between bacterial vaginosis and HSV-2 susceptibility (oral abstract session 10, 28 October, 1:30–3:00 pm); studies on the factors affecting the uptake of HIV counseling and testing among young people (poster session, 29 October, 10:00–11:00 am and 5:00–6:30 pm); and research on the links between counseling and testing and sexual risk behaviors (poster session, 29 October, 10:00–11:00 am and 5:00–6:30 pm).

Council scientists are also advancing global research on multi-purpose prevention technologies (MPTs), new tools in development that are designed to protect against HIV, STIs, and/or unintended pregnancy with a single product. The Council will co-chair a conference roundtable on the topic (31 October, 8:30–10:00 am), and will co-sponsor a satellite session at HIV R4P addressing the promise of MPTs in combination HIV and STI protection (31 October, 1:30–3:30 pm).

"HIV, STIs, and unintended pregnancy are global health crises that together affect hundreds of millions of women and men worldwide," said Naomi Rutenberg, Population Council vice president and director of the Council's HIV and AIDS program, and co-chair of the MPT roundtable on MPTs on 31 October at 8:30 am. "Council researchers are working on new approaches to these critical sexual health challenges that are safe, effective, easier to use, and responsive to the needs and life circumstances of the people they are designed to help."

"Sexually active people are often at simultaneous risk for HIV, STIs that can increase their risk of HIV, and unintended pregnancy," noted Tom Zydowsky, who leads the Council's pharmaceutical development program in HIV and AIDS. "The Council's work to advance MPTs is based in our belief that better and more convenient options are needed to slow these interconnected global epidemics and help women and men to lead healthier lives."

Presentations by Council researchers at HIV R4P are listed below:

TUESDAY, 28 OCTOBER

Oral Sessions

A novel intravaginal ring (IVR) protects macaques against SHIV-RT infection and reduces HSV-2 shedding after repeated SHIV-RT/HSV-2 co-challenge

11:00 am–12:30 pm, Auditorium 2

Presenter: Thomas M. Zydowsky

HSV-2-driven changes in α4β7 expression correlate with increased susceptibility to SHIV ex vivo and in vivo

1:30–3:00 pm, Roof Terrace Room

Presenter: Elena Martinelli

WEDNESDAY, 29 OCTOBER

Poster Sessions

Socio-demographic factors associated with uptake of HIV counseling and testing (HCT) among Nigerian youth