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Antiretrovirals are obviously effective at treating HIV infection, but this year, their prevention benefits in HIV-negative individuals also became clear. In two landmark trials, HIV-negative individuals successfully used antiretrovirals to reduce their risk of acquiring HIV infection.
In the CAPRISA 004 trial, heterosexual women in sub-Saharan Africa were randomized to use either placebo or a 1% vaginal gel formulation of tenofovir before and after sex. Those in the tenofovir group were found to have a 39% reduction in the risk for HIV acquisition, thus demonstrating proof-of-concept for vaginal anti-HIV microbicides (JW AIDS Clin Care Jul 26 2010). Efficacy was even greater at high levels of adherence. The microbicide also unexpectedly red…