Use of Artemisinin for Treating Tumors Induced by Oncogenic Viruses and for Treating Viral Infections

Abstract

In certain aspects, the invention relates to methods of treating proliferative cervical disorders (such as cervical cancer and cervical dysplasia) and treating virus infection by administering artemisinin-related compounds. In certain aspects, the invention relates to methods of treating a tumor induced by an oncogenic virus, methods of killing or inhibiting a squamous cell carcinoma, and methods of inhibiting the replication of a virus, by administering artemisinin-related compounds.

1 - 54 . (canceled) 
     
     
         55 . A method of treating an individual suffering from a virus infection, comprising administering to the individual a therapeutically effective amount of an artemisinin-related compound. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein the artemisinin-related compound is an artemisinin derivative selected from the group consisting of: dihydroartemisinin, artemether, arteether, artesunate, artelinic acid, and dihydroartemisinin propyl carbonate. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein the virus is selected from the group consisting of: human papillomavirus (HPV), human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-1), herpes virus, SV40-like virus, hepatitis virus, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), adenovirus, and influenza virus. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein the artemisinin-related compound is administered by a route selected from the group consisting of oral administration, topical administration, parenteral administration, intravaginal administration, rectal administration, systemical administration, intramuscular administration, and intravenous administration. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein the artemisinin-related compound is formulated with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein the artemisinin-related compound is administered with an anti-viral agent. 
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 60 , wherein the artemisinin-related compound and the anti-viral agent are in the same formulation. 
     
     
         62 . A method of treating an individual infected with human papillomavirus, comprising administering to the individual a therapeutically effective amount of an artemisinin-related compound, wherein the artemisinin-related compound selectively kills or inhibits growth of papillomavirus infected cells. 
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 62 , wherein the cells are human cells. 
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 63 , wherein the human cells are selected from the group consisting of: cervical cancer cells, anorectal squamous cancer cells, squamous carcinoma cells of the skin, basal carcinoma cells of the skin, and squamous carcinoma cells of the mouth, oropharynx, larynx, head and neck, esophagus, trachea, and bronchi. 
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein the artemisinin-related compound is formulated with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 65 , wherein the artemisinin-related compound is administered with an anti-viral agent. 
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein the artemisinin-related compound and the anti-viral agent are in the same formulation. 
     
     
         68 . A method of killing or inhibiting a squamous cell carcinoma in an individual, comprising administering to the individual a therapeutically effective amount of an artemisinin-related compound. 
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 68 , wherein the squamous cell carcinoma is selected from the group consisting of squamous cell carcinomas of head and neck, oral, oropharyngeal, laryngeal, tracheal, and bronchial. 
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 69 , wherein the squamous cell carcinoma contains HPV infection. 
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein the artemisinin-related compound is formulated with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 71 , wherein the artemisinin-related compound is administered with an anti-viral agent. 
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 72 , wherein the artemisinin-related compound and the anti-viral agent are in the same formulation.