Methods of improving skin quality

Abstract

Methods of improving skin quality are disclosed. Generally, the methods include topically administering an IRM compound to a treatment area of skin for a period of time and in an amount effective for improving the quality of the skin. Suitable IRM compound compounds include agonists of one or more TLRs.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
   
   
       12 . A method for treating fine lines or clinical wrinkles on a section of aged skin or non-precancerous, normal photodamaged skin, said section of skin not being treated for viral infection or skin cancer, comprising topically applying an effective amount of a composition consisting essentially of
 (a) an imidazoquinoline amine derivative conforming to the structure   
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     wherein
 (i) R 1  is selected from the group consisting of C 1 -C 10  alkyl; C 1 -C 6  hydroxylalkyl; and acyloxyalkyl wherein the acyloxy moiety is C 2 -C 4  alkanoyloxy or benzoyloxy, and the alkyl moiety contains one to six carbon atoms or a benzyl, (phenyl)ethyl or phenyl substituent; 
 (ii) R 2  is hydrogen or no more than two non-hydrogen moieties selected from the group consisting of C 1 -C 4  alkyl, C 1 -C 4  alkoxy, and halogen with the proviso that non-hydrogen moieties are present then said moieties together contain no more than 6 carbon atoms; 
 (iii) R 3  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C 1 -C 8  alkyl, benzyl, (phenyl)ethyl and phenyl; and 
 (b) a dermatologically acceptable carrier or excipient to a section of the skin of a patient exhibiting fine lines, clinical wrinkles or non-precancerous, normal photodamage, wherein the patient is not being treated for viral infection or skin cancer at the same section of the skin. 
 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the composition is applied daily. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the imidazoquinoline amine derivative is 1-isobutyl-1H-imidazo [4,5,-C] quinolin-4-amine, said derivative being present at a concentration of up to about 5% by weight of the total composition. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the composition is applied one or more times a week. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the composition consists essentially of about 1% to about 2% of 1-isobutyl-1H-imidazo [4,5,-C] quinolin-4-amine. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the composition consists essentially of about 1% to about 2% of 1-isobutyl-1H-imidazo [4,5,-C] quinolin-4-amine and is applied daily. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the composition consists essentially of about 1% to about 2% of 1-isobutyl-1H-imidazo [4,5,-C] quinolin-4-amine and is applied one or more times a week and less than once a day. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the composition consists essentially of about 1.25% of 1-isobutyl-1H-imidazo [4,5,-C] quinolin-4-amine and is applied daily. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein measuring the changes in skin appearance is performed by visual, photographic, or microscopic assessment or inspection of the skin. 
   
   
       21 . A method of inducing an immune cytotoxic response in a section of normal photodamaged dermal or epidermal tissue of a patient exhibiting fine lines and clinical wrinkles, said section of tissue not being treated for viral infection or skin cancer, comprising topically applying an effective amount of a cosmetically or dermatologically acceptable composition comprising an immunomodulatory compound capable of attracting macrophage cells to the area surrounding the section of tissue exhibiting fine lines and clinical wrinkles, said immunomodulatory compound conforming to the structure 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     wherein
 (i) R 1  is selected from the group consisting of C 1 -C 10  alkyl; C 1 -C 6  hydroxylalkyl; and acyloxyalkyl wherein the acyloxy moiety is C 2 -C 4  alkanoyloxy or benzoyloxy, and the alkyl moiety contains one to six carbon atoms or a benzyl, (phenyl)ethyl or phenyl substituent; 
 (ii) R 2  is hydrogen or no more than two non-hydrogen moieties selected from the group consisting of C 1 -C 4  alkyl, C 1 -C 4  alkoxy, and halogen with the proviso that non-hydrogen moieties are present then said moieties together contain no more than 6 carbon atoms; 
 (iii) R 3  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C 1 -C 8  alkyl, benzyl, (phenyl)ethyl and phenyl; 
 
     whereby the section of tissue exhibits improved appearance or physiological properties following the application of the composition after a period of at least 4 weeks. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein a Toll like receptor 7 is activated by the action of the immunomodulatory compound. 
   
   
       23 . A method of identifying a precancerous region of skin, comprising topically applying to a region of skin exhibiting fine lines and clinical wrinkles a composition comprising 1-isobutyl-1H-imidazo [4,5,-C] quinolin-4-amine and monitoring the physical appearance of the region of skin exhibiting fine lines and clinical wrinkles, whereby a precancerous region becomes inflamed or irritated following application of the composition. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the composition is applied daily. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the composition comprises about 1%, to about 2% of 1-isobutyl-1H-imidazo [4,5,-C] quinolin-4-amine. 
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein one or both of the R 1  and R 3  substitutents on the imidazoquinoline amine derivative is a benzyl, (phenyl)ethyl or phenyl group, and the benzene ring on said group contains one or two moieties independently selected from the group consisting of C 1 -C 4  alkyl, C 1 -C 4  alkoxy and halogen, with the proviso that if the benzene ring is substituted by two of said moieties, then said moieties together contain no more than six carbon atoms. 
   
   
       27 . A method for treating fine lines or clinical wrinkles on a section of aged skin or non-precancerous, normal photodamaged skin, comprising topically applying an effective amount of a composition consisting essentially of
 (a) an imidazoquinoline amine derivative conforming to the structure   
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     wherein
 R 1  is selected from the group consisting of C 1 -C 10  alkyl; C 1 -C 6  hydroxylalkyl; and acyloxyalkyl wherein the acyloxy moiety is C 2 -C 4  alkanoyloxy or benzoyloxy, and the alkyl moiety contains one to six carbon atoms or a benzyl, (phenyl)ethyl or phenyl substituent; and 
 (b) a dermatologically acceptable carrier or excipient to a section of the skin of a patient exhibiting fine lines, clinical wrinkles or non-precancerous, normal photodamage, wherein the patient is not being treated for viral infection or skin cancer at the same section of the skin. 
 
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the R 1  substituent on the imidazoquinoline amine derivative is a benzyl, (phenyl)ethyl or phenyl group, and the benzene ring on said group contains one or two moieties independently selected from the group consisting of C 1 -C 4  alkyl, C 1 -C 4  alkoxy and halogen, with the proviso that if the benzene ring is substituted by two of said moieties, then said moieties together contain no more than six carbon atoms. 
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the composition is applied twice-daily. 
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 29  wherein the composition consisting essentially of from about 1% to about 2% of 1-isobutyl-1H-imidazo [4,5,-C] quinolin-4-amine is applied twice daily to the skin of a patient. 
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the composition is applied three-times daily. 
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the composition is applied four-times daily.