Appropriateness of hydroxyethylcellulose gel as a placebo control in vaginal microbicide trials: a comparison of the two control arms of HPTN 035
Citation
Richardson BA, Kelly C, Ramjee G, Fleming T, Makanani B, Roberts S, Musara P, Mkandawire N, Moench T, Coletti A, Soto-Torres L, Karim SA; HPTN 035 Study Team. Appropriateness of hydroxyethylcellulose gel as a placebo control in vaginal microbicide trials: a comparison of the two control arms of HPTN 035. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2013, 69: 120-5. PMC3625489
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To compare the 2 control arms of HPTN 035 [a hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) gel control arm and a no-gel control arm] to assess the behavioral effects associated with gel use and direct causal effects of the HEC gel on sexually transmitted infections (STIs), pregnancy, and genital safety. DESIGN: Randomized trial with 1 blinded (HEC gel) and 1 open-label (no-gel) control arms. METHODS: HIV-uninfected, sexually active women were randomized into the HEC gel arm (n = 771) and into the no-gel arm (n = 772) in 5 countries. Participants in the HEC gel arm were instructed to insert the study gel intravaginally