Clinical evaluation of microbicide formulations

The clinical evaluation of microbicide formulations presents variable and interacting challenges. Specific domains of acceptability, pharmacokinetics, and toxicity interact with each other to potentially inhibit or enhance a microbicide's efficacy. Each of these is further influenced by application and use parameters in the relative presence (or absence) of vaginal and/or seminal fluids, ultimately impacting effectiveness. Historically, acceptability of formulation and use parameters, and their concomitant behavioral influences, have been considered separately from pharmacokinetics and toxicity. While independent evaluation of these elements is necessary in some respects, we must acknowledge that this approach is not sufficient for the successful development of microbicides. Each needs to be considered in an integrated clinical evaluation strategy. This article presents the rationale for such an approach. This article forms part of a special supplement covering two presentations on clinical evaluation of microbicides from the symposium on “Recent Trends in Microbicide Formulations” held on 25 and 26 January 2010, Arlington, VA.