Treatment of Infection

Abstract

The invention relates to compositions including a substance useful as an adjuvant for potentiating an immune response, and methods of using the composition in individuals with infections of tissue within or adjacent to a transformation zone, such as the transformation zone of the cervix or anal canal.

1 . A therapeutic or pharmaceutical composition comprising a substance useful as an adjuvant for potentiating an immune response, the substance comprising a combination of a therapeutically effective amount of aluminium hydroxide and 3′-deacylated monophospholipid A (MPL); and a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier, wherein the composition does not include an immunogen for invoking an immune response. 
     
     
         2 . The therapeutic or pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the therapeutically effective amount of aluminium hydroxide is between 0.1 to 1 mg per unit dosage, and the therapeutically effective amount of MPL is between 1 to 100 μg. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The therapeutic or pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition is formulated for topical administration. 
     
     
         5 . The therapeutic or pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 1 , further comprising one or more of the following: sodium chloride, L-histidine, sodium borate, lactic acid, sodium phosphate monobasic, sorbitan monostearate, polysorbate 60, cetyl esters wax, benzyl alcohol, glycerol, cetostearyl alcohol, isopropyl myristate, propylene glycol, purified water, chlorohexidine hydrochloride octyldodecanol, sodium hydroxide, stearic acid and paraffin liquid. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A method for treating an infection in an individual, comprising selecting an individual having an infection of tissue within or adjacent to a transformation zone; and contacting the tissue with a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a substance useful as an adjuvant for potentiating an immune response, wherein the substance comprises a combination of aluminium hydroxide and 3′-deacylated monophospholipid A. 
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 9  wherein the infection is a HPV infection. 
     
     
         11 . A method of minimising the incidence of a complication of a cervical or anal HPV infection in an individual, comprising selecting an individual having a cervical or anal HPV infection, and contacting infected tissue in or adjacent to a transformation zone in the individual with a therapeutically effected amount of a composition comprising a substance useful as an adjuvant for potentiating an immune response, wherein the substance comprises a combination of aluminium hydroxide and 3′-deacylated monophospholipid A. 
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the individual having an infection of tissue is selected on the basis of cellular changes in a sample from the transformation zone of the individual, physical examination, or by detection of nucleic acid of an agent causing the infection. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the infection is in the transformation zone. 
     
     
         15 . A method for treating an individual having a cervical or anal HPV infection comprising contacting infected tissue within or adjacent to the cervical or anal transformation zone in the individual with a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a substance useful as an adjuvant for potentiating an immune response, wherein the substance comprises a combination of aluminium hydroxide and 3′-deacylated monophospholipid A. 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the transformation zone is abraded or ruptured prior to contacting the infected tissue within or adjacent to the transformation zone. 
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the composition is brought into contact with the infected tissue by means of an apparatus, the apparatus comprising a stem means adapted for insertion along an orifice or canal to access the transformation zone; means carried by the stem means for occluding a distal restriction; and means to deliver an effective amount of the composition to the infected tissue. 
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the composition is brought into contact with the surface of the infected tissue by direct application to the surface or injection of the composition into cells at the surface of the infected tissue. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A topical composition comprising a substance useful as an adjuvant for potentiating an immune response, the substance comprising a combination of a therapeutically effective amount of aluminium hydroxide and 3′-deacylated monophospholipid A (MPL); and a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier, wherein the composition does not include an immunogen for invoking an immune response. 
     
     
         22 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein the individual having an infection of tissue is selected on the basis of cellular changes in a sample from the transformation zone of the individual, physical examination or by detection of nucleic acid of an agent causing the infection. 
     
     
         23 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein the infection is in the transformation zone. 
     
     
         24 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein the transformation zone is abraded or ruptured prior to contacting the infected tissue within or adjacent to the transformation zone. 
     
     
         25 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein the composition is brought into contact with the surface of the infected tissue by direct application to the surface or injection of the composition into cells at the surface of the infected tissue. 
     
     
         26 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein the transformation zone is abraded or ruptured prior to contacting the infected tissue within or adjacent to the transformation zone. 
     
     
         27 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein the composition is brought into contact with the surface of the infected tissue by direct application to the surface or injection of the composition into cells at the surface of the infected tissue.