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Gardasil Approved to Prevent Genital Warts in Men and Boys
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Gardasil is currently approved for use in girls and women ages 9 through 26 for the prevention of cervical, vulvar, and vaginal cancer caused by HPV types 16 and 18; precancerous lesions caused by types 6, 11, 16, and 18; and genital warts caused by types 6 and 11.
The vaccine's effectiveness was studied in a randomized trial of 4,055 males ages 16 through 26 years old. Results showed that in men who were not infected by HPV types 6 and 11 at the start of the study, Gardasil was nearly 90% effective in preventing genital warts caused by infection with HPV types 6 and 11. Studies were conducted to measure the immune response to the vaccine in boys ages 9 through 15. The results showed that the immune response was as good as that found in the 16 through 26 years age group, indicating that the vaccine should have similar effectiveness.
Researchers Develop HIV-Blocking Gel for Women
A team of researchers from the University of Utah have developed a new vaginal gel to protect women from HIV infection in Africa and other impoverished regions. Before sex, women insert the gel that turns semisolid in the presence of semen, trapping HIV in a microscopic mesh. This stops the first step in HIV transmission to women, viral diffusion from semen into vaginal tissue. Human tests of the gel are planned in 3–5 years. The researchers would like to incorporate an antiviral drug into the gel, such as tenofovir, so it both blocks HIV movement and prevents the virus from replicating.
The new gel changes in response to changes in pH in the vagina caused by the introduction of semen during sex. It becomes a semisolid at the pH of semen, forming a mesh of “crosslinked” molecules. Changes in pH alter the strength of the bond between the gel's two key components, both of which are polymers. These are phenylboronic acid (PBA) and salicylhydroxamic acid (SHA). The chemical bonds between the two polymers constantly attach and detach at normal, acidic vaginal pHs of about 4.8, allowing the gel to flow. At a pH of 7.6, when semen enters the vagina, both polymers crosslink and stick tightly together. These polymers then create a mesh the size of 30 to 50 nm. HIV particle are about 100 nm wide.
The researchers believe the gel could be used to prevent the entry of other viruses, such as herpes and human papillomavirus (HPV). Further studies will be conducted to assess the HIV-prevention potential of other polymers. The gel will be tested for its safety profile on vaginal cells. Finally, the researchers will determine how well the new gel blocks the transport of HIV into samples of human vaginal and penile tissue.
Further details about the study can be found in Advanced Functional Materials 2009;19(18):2969–2977.
India Launches “Love Condom” Campaign
AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) has launched a “LOVE Condom” campaign. The new initiative includes the distribution of free AHF “LOVE”-brand condoms, as well as a “Stay Negative” public service advertising campaign.
The innovative and eye-catching Delhi/NCR HIV prevention and testing campaign urges the public to “Stay Negative.” People are encouraged to visit
The campaign aims to bring public–private partnerships to address access to free condoms. It also complements ongoing social marketing and free distribution of condoms. It plans to scale-up global support for renewed condom usage by distributing 10 million WHO-approved, high-quality condoms free of charge to any individual, nongovernment, or government agency that makes a commitment to support the campaign's aim of achieving 100% access to free condoms worldwide.
For more information about the campaign, visit
New Antibiotic Designed for Resistant TB
New antibiotic compounds have been developed to treat tuberculosis (TB) with a low likelihood of producing resistance. The compounds are synthetic chemical mimics of host defense proteins. These small molecule mimetics of host defense proteins are designed to treat systemic infections. Due to their novel mechanism of action, namely the direct biophysical disruption of bacterial cell membranes, the development of bacterial resistance is considered unlikely.
Already the developer, PolyMedix, has reported Phase I results for the compound PMX-30063, designed to be used as a pan-Staph agent for the broad treatment of many forms of Staphylococcus infections. The current TB compounds share the same mechanism of action as PMX-30063. Three have exhibited high antimicrobial activity against, and selectivity for, the H37Rv strain of M. tuberculosis. Emerging structure-activity relationships suggest promising medicinal chemistry approaches to optimize activity and selectivity against M. tuberculosis.
Information about the TB research was presented at the 5th International AIDS Society Conference held in Cape Town, South Africa.
Perceived Risk for Dying Linked to Unhealthy Behaviors
In a new study, researchers from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis have examined the relationship between adolescents' perceived risk for dying and their involvement in various risk behaviors. The researchers sought to determine the proportion of U.S. youth who anticipate a high likelihood of early mortality and the relationships with health status and risk behaviors over time.
Data were analyzed from three time periods, (1995, 1996, and 2001–2002) of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. This is a nationally representative sample of youth in grades 7 through 12. The relationship between perceived risk for premature mortality and health behaviors/outcomes was assessed.
During the first time period, 14.7% of the 20,594 respondents reported at least a 50/50 chance that they would not live to age 35. Illicit drug use, suicide attempt, fight-related injury, police arrest, unsafe sexual activity, and a diagnosis of HIV/AIDS predicted early death perception at time period two, time period three, or both. A perceived early mortality at time period one predicted each of these behaviors and outcomes, except illicit drug use. At time periods two or three, perceived early mortality predicted most strongly a diagnosis of HIV/AIDS.
The researchers concluded that adolescents involved in risk behaviors predicted a belief in premature mortality at 1 and 7 years later. This perceived risk for early death predicted serious health outcomes, notably a diagnosis of HIV/AIDS in young adulthood. As a result, the researchers recommend that an assessment of an adolescent's perceived risk for early death should be incorporated into psychosocial assessments and interviews.
More details on the study can be found in the July 1, 2009 online issue of Pediatrics 2009;124(1):e81–e88.
HPV Increases Risk for Nasopharyngeal Cancer
The presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) appears to increase the risk for developing nasopharyngeal cancer. Physicians are seeing a rise in tonsil cancer.
Researchers at the University of Michigan Medical School analyzed tissue samples from five patients with nasopharyngeal cancer. HPV was found in four. All of the four HPV-positive tumor samples were negative for Epstein-Barr virus (EPV). EPV has previously been recognized as one of the major infectious causes of nasopharyngeal cancer.
According to the researchers, there may be a change in the cause of nasopharyngeal cancer to include HPV. Larger studies are needed to further elucidate the exact role of HPV in the development of this type of rare cancer.
The study was published online Sept. 15 in Head and Neck, 2009.
HIV Patients Vulnerable to Seven Cancers
Persons with HIV infection are at increased risk for seven types of cancer and maybe even more. However, researchers from France believe early treatment with HIV with antiretroviral therapy may delay the development of these malignancies.
In their study, the researchers examined the incidence of three AIDS-defining cancers. There were Kaposi's sarcoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and cervical cancer. The incidence of four non-AIDS-defining cancers was also investigated. These were Hodgkin's lymphoma, lung cancer, liver cancer, and anal cancer. A total of 52,278 HIV-infected patients were analyzed.
The study found that the presence of immunodeficiency increased the risk of all seven cancers. The most predictive risk factor for all the cancers was CD4 cell count, except for anal cancer. Cancer risk associated with viral load was lower than that associated with immunodeficiency.
For Hodgkin's lymphoma, lung cancer and liver cancer, CD4 count was the only risk factor. An increased risk of Kaposi's sarcoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was associated with a lower CD4 count, higher HIV viral load, and no current antiretroviral therapy. Higher CD4 counts were associated with a lower risk of cervical cancer. Patients taking antiretroviral therapy were half as likely to develop cervical cancer. Anal cancer risk increased with the time during which CD4 count was <200 cells/mm3 and when viral load was >100,000 copies/mL.
The study was published online October 8 in advance of publication in the November print issue of The Lancet Oncology.
Anal and Lung Cancer More Prevalent Among HIV Patients
Researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center have found that non-AIDS-defining malignancies, such as anal and lung cancer, are more prevalent among HIV-infected patients than non-HIV patients. This is particularly true since the introduction of antiretroviral therapy.
Using data from more than 100,000 patient records, the researchers found that when the statistics were adjusted for gender, race/ethnicity and age, HIV-infected patients were 60 percent more likely to have anal, lung, Hodgkin's, melanoma or liver cancer than patients without HIV. The rate of prostate cancer was similar between the two groups.
Researchers compared the rates of non-AIDS-defining malignancies between patients with and without HIV who received care at a VA system facility between 1997 and 2004. For each HIV-positive patient, they identified at least two HIV-negative patients who received care the same year and matched them on age, sex, race, and geographic location. The final study population included 33,420 HIV-infected patients and 66,840 non-infected patients. Non-AIDS-defining malignancies examined included anal, lung, melanoma, prostate, Hodgkin's, and liver cancers.
The cause is unclear as to why non-AIDS-defining malignancies are more common in HIV patients than the general population. One theory is that antiretroviral therapy may increase the risk. Another possibility is that patients with HIV infection are more exposed to cancer's traditional risk factors. Finally, it may be HIV or another virus that is responsible for the increased risk.
More information on this study can be found in the online October issue of the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes.