Rectal microbicide
Encyclopedia
A rectal microbicide is a microbicide
for rectal
use. Most commonly such a product would be a topical
gel inserted into the anus
so that it make act as protection against the contract of a sexually transmitted infection during anal sex
.
Along with vaginal microbicides
, rectal microbicides are currently the subject of medical research on microbicides for sexually transmitted diseases
to determine the circumstances under which and the extent to which they provide protection against infection.
Less commonly, rectal microbicides can have other purposes also; for example, they could be used to treat certain medical conditions as a suppository
would.
that a vaginal microbicide exists. As of 2008, 16 topical microbicides entered phase I or II clinical trial
and 7 advanced to an additional trial. Previous studies both showed promise in new areas of research and gave disappointing results from the first generation products, as surfactants like nonoxynol-9
and entry inhibitors like carrageenan
showed no efficacy in preventing HIV and were associated with risk of inflammation which raised the risk of contracting HIV in some circumstances.
In 1998 researchers noted that gay men using products containing nonoxynol-9 as part of their infection prevention strategy despite lack of evidence of efficacy or any safety data for that practice. At the time, the drug was under evaluation as a vaginal microbicide.
Because of expected similarities between the efficacy of vaginal and rectal microbicides, some researchers have called for all vaginal microbicides to be tested for efficacy when used rectally.
Researchers have explored using personal lubricant as a vehicle for delivering a rectal microbicide.
in discussing anal health and anal sex. Researchers have reported feeling disinclined to request funding for "anal research" because of biases against anything to do with an anus, and public policy writers have at times faced opposition to promoting discussion on anal topics.
Microbicide
Microbicides for sexually transmitted diseases, are pharmacologic agents and chemical substances that are capable of killing or destroying certain microorganisms that commonly cause human infection, for example the human immunodeficiency virus....
for rectal
Rectum
The rectum is the final straight portion of the large intestine in some mammals, and the gut in others, terminating in the anus. The human rectum is about 12 cm long...
use. Most commonly such a product would be a topical
Topical
In medicine, a topical medication is applied to body surfaces such as the skin or mucous membranes such as the vagina, anus, throat, eyes and ears.Many topical medications are epicutaneous, meaning that they are applied directly to the skin...
gel inserted into the anus
Anus
The anus is an opening at the opposite end of an animal's digestive tract from the mouth. Its function is to control the expulsion of feces, unwanted semi-solid matter produced during digestion, which, depending on the type of animal, may be one or more of: matter which the animal cannot digest,...
so that it make act as protection against the contract of a sexually transmitted infection during anal sex
Anal sex
Anal sex is the sex act in which the penis is inserted into the anus of a sexual partner. The term can also include other sexual acts involving the anus, including pegging, anilingus , fingering, and object insertion.Common misconception describes anal sex as practiced almost exclusively by gay men...
.
Along with vaginal microbicides
Vaginal microbicide
A vaginal microbicide is a microbicide for vaginal use. Most commonly such a product would be a topical gel or cream inserted into the vagina so that it may treat some infection in the vagina, such as types of vaginitis....
, rectal microbicides are currently the subject of medical research on microbicides for sexually transmitted diseases
Microbicides for sexually transmitted diseases
Microbicides for sexually transmitted diseases, are pharmacologic agents and chemical substances that are capable of killing or destroying certain microorganisms that commonly cause human infection, for example the human immunodeficiency virus....
to determine the circumstances under which and the extent to which they provide protection against infection.
Less commonly, rectal microbicides can have other purposes also; for example, they could be used to treat certain medical conditions as a suppository
Suppository
A suppository is a drug delivery system that is inserted into the rectum , vagina or urethra , where it dissolves.They are used to deliver both systemically-acting and locally-acting medications....
would.
History
Early development of topical microbicides starting around 1998 focused on preventing of HIV transmission during vaginal intercourse. The entire field lacks a proof of conceptProof of concept
A proof of concept or a proof of principle is a realization of a certain method or idea to demonstrate its feasibility, or a demonstration in principle, whose purpose is to verify that some concept or theory that has the potential of being used...
that a vaginal microbicide exists. As of 2008, 16 topical microbicides entered phase I or II clinical trial
Clinical trial
Clinical trials are a set of procedures in medical research and drug development that are conducted to allow safety and efficacy data to be collected for health interventions...
and 7 advanced to an additional trial. Previous studies both showed promise in new areas of research and gave disappointing results from the first generation products, as surfactants like nonoxynol-9
Nonoxynol-9
Nonoxynol-9, sometimes abbreviated as N-9, is an organic compound that is used as a surfactant. It is a member of the nonoxynol family of nonionic surfactants. N-9 and related compounds are ingredients in various cleaning and cosmetic products. It is widely used in contraceptives for its...
and entry inhibitors like carrageenan
Carrageenan
Carrageenans or carrageenins are a family of linear sulfated polysaccharides that are extracted from red seaweeds. There are several varieties of carrageen used in cooking and baking. Kappa-carrageenan is used mostly in breading and batter due to its gelling nature...
showed no efficacy in preventing HIV and were associated with risk of inflammation which raised the risk of contracting HIV in some circumstances.
In 1998 researchers noted that gay men using products containing nonoxynol-9 as part of their infection prevention strategy despite lack of evidence of efficacy or any safety data for that practice. At the time, the drug was under evaluation as a vaginal microbicide.
Because of expected similarities between the efficacy of vaginal and rectal microbicides, some researchers have called for all vaginal microbicides to be tested for efficacy when used rectally.
Preclinical testing
Preclinical testing for rectal microbicides has been conducted in macaques to get a nonhuman primate model of drug behavior.Use
Rectal microbicides can reduce the risk of transmission of HIV during anal intercourse, particularly during sex when condoms are not used.Researchers have explored using personal lubricant as a vehicle for delivering a rectal microbicide.
Culture
Research into rectal microbicides and funding for exploring their use as public health tools has faced barriers historically because of the tabooTaboo
A taboo is a strong social prohibition relating to any area of human activity or social custom that is sacred and or forbidden based on moral judgment, religious beliefs and or scientific consensus. Breaking the taboo is usually considered objectionable or abhorrent by society...
in discussing anal health and anal sex. Researchers have reported feeling disinclined to request funding for "anal research" because of biases against anything to do with an anus, and public policy writers have at times faced opposition to promoting discussion on anal topics.