Development of vaginal microbicides for the prevention of heterosexual transmission of HIV.

Various compounds could be considered to be vaginal microbicides, preventing heterosexual transmission of HIV (i.e. virucidal agents such as nonoxynol 9 and chlorhexidine) and antiviral agents interfering with either virus adsorption/fusion [polyanionic substances such as polysulfates (i.e. PVAS, PAVAS), polysulfonates, polycarboxylates, polyoxometalates and negatively charged albumins], or fusion/uncoating (bicyclams), or reverse transcription [dideoxynucleoside analogues, acyclic nucleoside phosphonates such as PMEA and PMPA, and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) such as TIBO, HEPT, and alpha-APA derivatives]. In particular, combination of two or more of these compounds seems to be an attractive approach to interrupt transmission of HIV at different stages of the infectious process.