Optical Imaging and User Perception Study of Vaginal Gel

NCT ID: NCT01716000

Last Updated: 2014-07-24

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 56 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2013-01-31
• Study Completion Date: 2013-11-30

Brief Summary

This study will compare two investigational techniques for measuring how vaginal gels spread and coat the vagina. This study will also explore the experiences and opinions of women using this vaginal gel. We want to understand how the characteristics of a gel, such as a gel's thickness or consistency, affect how the gel spreads and feels in the body. We hope to use the information we learn from this study to develop future vaginal gels that could be combined with medications and used to slow down or stop the spread of sexually transmitted infections.

Detailed Description

The pharmacokinetics of a microbicide gel, i.e. the time- and space-dependent distribution of its active microbicidal ingredient(s) (APIs) throughout the body, derives from the time- and space-dependent distribution of the gel itself within the vaginal canal. That distribution may also serve as a physical barrier that retards migration of semen-borne HIV virions to epithelial surfaces. Within the vagina, the gel creates local physical forces ("stresses") against the epithelial surfaces; and its distribution along the canal might be so extensive that gel leaks out from the introitus. A woman may have sensations of those stresses and also feel gel leakage. Thus, intravaginal microbicide gel distribution is central to both its biological functioning (to deliver APIs and also to slow HIV transport) and the behavioral perception of it by users (i.e. how it "feels" and whether that experience is pleasurable or not). The latter, in turn, can govern acceptability of the gel and adherence to designated gel use in clinical trials. This study will characterize and correlate gel distribution and women's sensory perceptions and preferences of that distribution, for two relevant volumes (2 mL and 4 mL) of a current microbicide placebo gel. An optical vaginal imaging device will measure gel distribution in the vagina. A computer-assisted self-interview (CASI) survey will capture women's perceptions and preferences.

Conditions

Characterize Gel Distribution in the Vagina; Study Women's Sensory Perceptions and Preferences of Gel

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Primary Study Purpose: BASIC_SCIENCE
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

2 mL vaginal gel

2 mL gel inserted vaginally for completion of vaginal gel imaging and computer aided self interview.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

vaginal gel imaging

Intervention Type: OTHER

Imaging of vaginal gel distribution using two investigational techniques (low coherence interferometry and fluorimetry).

computer aided self interview

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Questionnaire to gather the perceptions and preferences of the subject with respect to the vaginal gel.

4 mL vaginal gel

4 mL gel inserted vaginally for completion of vaginal gel imaging and computer aided self interview.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

vaginal gel imaging

Intervention Type: OTHER

Imaging of vaginal gel distribution using two investigational techniques (low coherence interferometry and fluorimetry).

computer aided self interview

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Questionnaire to gather the perceptions and preferences of the subject with respect to the vaginal gel.

Interventions

vaginal gel imaging

Imaging of vaginal gel distribution using two investigational techniques (low coherence interferometry and fluorimetry).

Intervention Type: OTHER

computer aided self interview

Questionnaire to gather the perceptions and preferences of the subject with respect to the vaginal gel.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• have had vaginal penetrative intercourse within the last 12 months
• have a regular menstrual cycle (between 24-35 days) and be able to record the day of onset of menses in a menstrual diary
• able to ambulate for 20 consecutive minutes after vaginal self-insertion of gel using an applicator
• willing to use a condom when engaging in sexual intercourse within 4 days before a study visit
• willing to avoid using any mechanical sex toy within 1 day before a study visit
• willing to use one of the following contraception methods if engaging in sexual intercourse during the length of participation in the study (hormonal contraceptive, tubal ligation, non-surgical procedure such as permanent transcervical sterilization, Fallopian tubes removed, partner vasectomy)
• able to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

• pregnant, potentially pregnant, nursing, or trying to conceive
• allergic to latex, fluorescein, hydroxyethylcellulose, ascorbic acid, sodium citrate, citric acid
• using an intrauterine device (IUD)
• using depo-provera
• douching during the course of participation in the study
• had medical or cosmetic surgery involving the reproductive organs or genitals within the past 6 months
• have a gynecological infection or other condition requiring treatment, such as candidiasis, chlamydia trachomatis, trichomoniasis, HIV, herpes simplex virus (HSV), neisseria gonorrhea, symptomatic bacterial vaginosis, or syphilis
• currently enrolled in any other research studies involving the application of vaginal formulations
• employed or supervised by the study investigators
• have any other condition that, in the opinion of the study physician, would contraindicate participation in the study

• Minimum Eligible Age: 21 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 45 Years
• Eligible Sex: FEMALE
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

NIH

Sponsor Role: collaborator

ImQuest Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

INDUSTRY

Sponsor Role: collaborator

The Miriam Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Duke University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

David F. Katz, Ph.D.

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Duke University

Locations

Duke University Medical Center

Durham, North Carolina, United States

Countries

United States

Other Identifiers

U19AI077289

Identifier Type: NIH

Identifier Source: secondary_id

View Link

Pro00038440

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id