All About Genital Herpes: New Treatments in the Pipeline

Researchers are hard at work on new treatments to fight genital herpes. Everyone wants a vaccine but only one still in experimental stages has shown promise. In 2000, researchers reported this vaccine protected women who had never been infected with a herpes virus from getting HSV-2. But the vaccine didn't protect women who were already infected with HSV-1, and it offered no protection for men.

Microbicides are another option scientists are exploring in the search for new genital herpes treatments. Microbicides are chemicals that protect against infection by killing microbes (small organisms such as bacteria and viruses) before they enter the body. One that has made some progress is called BufferGel, which would be applied to the vagina. Studies show it's able to kill herpes, as well as some other sexually transmitted viruses.

Scientists also are working on new drugs that keep the herpes virus from replicating. To replicate (make copies of itself), a virus has to duplicate its DNA exactly. Scientists hope these new drugs will prevent the virus from doing that.

Clinical Trials: Key to Ongoing Research

Although these new treatments are just on the horizon, it may be years before any are available to consumers.

The process of introducing a new treatment to the public can be a long one. Before the FDA approves a drug, it must go through rigorous clinical trials, which are divided into three phases. In phase I, researchers try to find out if the drug is safe for people to take. If the drug is deemed safe, it may go on to phase II, when researchers aim to determine if the drug works as it should. They also collect more safety data. In phase III trials, they expand their research to include more patients in more places.

To conduct a clinical trial, scientists need people to participate voluntarily. Clinical trials often involve thousands of patients who volunteer to take the experimental drug. The FDA and an independent review board carefully monitor every aspect of the trial. There are rules the researchers must follow to ensure that their work is not only scientifically correct, but also ethically sound. The study volunteers have clearly defined rights, such as the right to drop out of the trial at any time.

While there are risks involved in joining a clinical trial, there may be benefits, too. You might get a new "wonder drug" long before it hits the market. If you're interested, ask your doctor if you could benefit by joining one. Your doctor may know of a trial that is seeking volunteers in your area. The National Institutes of Health also has an online database that you can search: www.clinicaltrials.gov. This web site provides detailed information on what's involved in joining a clinical trial.