Method of treating scarring

Abstract

Methods of treating scarring are disclosed. Generally, the methods include topically administering an IRM compound to the site of a surgical wound for a period of time and in an amount effective for preventing, reversing, or reducing the formation of a scar. Suitable IRM compound compounds include agonists of one or more TLRs.

1 . A method of preventing scarring of a subject's skin resulting from a surgical wound, the method comprising topically applying to the skin at the site of the surgical wound an IRM compound in an amount effective to improve the quality of the skin.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the IRM compound is an agonist of at least one TLR.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the IRM compound is an agonist of TLR7, TLR8, or both TLR7 and TLR8.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the IRM compound is administered via a topical application vehicle.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the topical application vehicle comprises a cream, a foam, a gel, a spray, an ointment, a lotion, a solution, a suspension, a dispersion, an emulsion, a microemulsion, a paste, a powder, a wipe, or an oil.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the IRM compound is an imidazoquinoline amine, a tetrahydroimidazoquinoline amine, an imidazopyridine amine, a 1,2-bridged imidazoquinoline amine, a 6,7-fused cycloalkylimidazopyridine amine, an imidazonaphthyridine amine, a tetrahydroimidazonaphthyridine amine, an oxazoloquinoline amine, a thiazoloquinoline amine, an oxazolopyridine amine, a thiazolopyridine amine, an oxazolonaphthyridine amine, a thiazolonaphthyridine amine, or a combination thereof.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein applying an IRM compound in an amount effective comprises providing a dose of 100 ng/kg to 50 mg/kg to the subject.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein applying an IRM compound in an amount effective comprises providing a dose of 10 μg/kg to 5 mg/kg to the subject.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein applying an IRM compound in an amount effective comprises providing a dose of 100 μg/kg to 1 mg/kg to the subject.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the IRM compound is applied at least two times per week.  
     
     
         11 . A method of reversing or reducing scarring of a subject's skin resulting from a surgical wound, the method comprising topically applying to the scarred skin at the site of the surgical wound an IRM compound in an amount effective to improve the quality of the skin.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the IRM compound is an agonist of at least one TLR.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the IRM compound is an agonist of TLR7, TLR8, or both TLR7 and TLR8.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the IRM compound is administered via a topical application vehicle.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the topical application vehicle comprises a cream, a foam, a gel, a spray, an ointment, a lotion, a solution, a suspension, a dispersion, an emulsion, a microemulsion, a paste, a powder, a wipe, or an oil.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the IRM compound is an imidazoquinoline amine, a tetrahydroimidazoquinoline amine, an imidazopyridine amine, a 1,2-bridged imidazoquinoline amine, a 6,7-fused cycloalkylimidazopyridine amine, an imidazonaphthyridine amine, a tetrahydroimidazonaphthyridine amine, an oxazoloquinoline amine, a thiazoloquinoline amine, an oxazolopyridine amine, a thiazolopyridine amine, an oxazolonaphthyridine amine, a thiazolonaphthyridine amine, or a combination thereof.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11  wherein applying an IRM compound in an amount effective comprises providing a dose of 100 ng/kg to 50 mg/kg to the subject.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein applying an IRM compound in an amount effective comprises providing a dose of 10 μg/kg to 5 mg/kg to the subject.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein applying an IRM compound in an amount effective comprises providing a dose of 100 μg/kg to 1 mg/kg to the subject.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the IRM compound is applied at least two times per week.