Methods of treating dermatological disorders and inducing interferon biosynthesis with shorter durations of imiquimod therapy

Abstract

Pharmaceutical formulations and methods for the topical and/or transdermal delivery of imiquimod, including creams, ointments and pressure-sensitive adhesive compositions to treat dermatological disorders, namelyl, viral infections, such as Type I or Type II Herpes simplex infections and genital and perianal warts, actinic deratosis and superficial basal cell carcinoma, and to induce interferon biosynthesis to achieve an antiviral effect, with shorter durations of therapy, than currently approved for imiquimod by the Food & Drug Administration (“FDA”).

1 .- 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A method for treating external genital or perianal warts in a subject, the method comprising:
 applying a 3.75% by weight imiquimod composition to the warts, once per day, each day, for up to 56 consecutive days or 8 consecutive weeks or until clearance is observed, whichever occurs earlier, to treat the warts.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein imiquimod is the sole active pharmaceutical ingredient applied to the wart. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  or  17 , wherein the warts are genital warts. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16  or  17 , wherein the warts are perianal warts. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , whereby the method provides effective treatment of the external genital or perianal warts by 8 weeks. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the 8 consecutive weeks comprises 56 consecutive days.