Disclosed herein are intravaginal ring (IVR) devices comprising barriers that may be metal, polymeric or combinations of metal and polymeric. The IVRs are useful for contraception, treating and/or preventing sexually transmitted diseases, and treating and/or preventing bacterial infections. The IVR's are resistant to distortion due to absorption of vaginal fluids. This allows the IVRs to perform better over time as compared to other intravaginal rings made with copolymeric silicone.

Disclosed herein are intravaginal ring (IVR) devices comprising barriers that may be metal, polymeric or combinations of metal and polymeric. The IVRs are useful for contraception, treating and/or preventing sexually transmitted diseases, and treating and/or preventing bacterial infections. The IVR's are resistant to distortion due to absorption of vaginal fluids. This allows the IVRs to perform better over time as compared to other intravaginal rings made with copolymeric silicone.

The present invention concerns methods of treating systemic, regional, or local inflammation from a patient suffering or at risk of inflammation comprising administration of a therapeutically effective dose of a sorbent that sorbs an inflammatory mediator in said patient. In some preferred embodiments, the sorbent is a biocompatible organic polymer.

The present invention concerns methods of treating systemic, regional, or local inflammation from a patient suffering or at risk of inflammation comprising administration of a therapeutically effective dose of a sorbent that sorbs an inflammatory mediator in said patient. In some preferred embodiments, the sorbent is a biocompatible organic polymer.

The present invention concerns methods of administering a therapeutically effective dose of a sorbent for an inflammatory mediator to a patient where the inflammatory mediator is one or more of enzymes, cytokines, prostaglandins, eicosanoids, leukotrienes, kinins, complement, coagulation factors, endotoxins, enterotoxins, lipopolysaccharide, cell fragments, bile salts, fatty acids, phospholipids, interferon and immunomodulatory antibodies, biologics or drugs.

The present invention concerns methods of administering a therapeutically effective dose of a sorbent for an inflammatory mediator to a patient where the inflammatory mediator is one or more of enzymes, cytokines, prostaglandins, eicosanoids, leukotrienes, kinins, complement, coagulation factors, endotoxins, enterotoxins, lipopolysaccharide, cell fragments, bile salts, fatty acids, phospholipids, interferon and immunomodulatory antibodies, biologics or drugs.

A method of enhancing penetration of a topical composition of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) into tissue for photodynamic therapy includes topically applying ALA to a treatment area to be treated with photodynamic therapy. The method further includes, after the ALA is applied to the treatment area, covering the treatment area with a low density polyethylene barrier. The treatment area is covered with the low density polyethylene barrier prior to light treatment to minimize transepidermal water loss from the treatment area.

A method of enhancing penetration of a topical composition of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) into tissue for photodynamic therapy includes topically applying ALA to a treatment area to be treated with photodynamic therapy. The method further includes, after the ALA is applied to the treatment area, covering the treatment area with a low density polyethylene barrier. The treatment area is covered with the low density polyethylene barrier prior to light treatment to minimize transepidermal water loss from the treatment area.

The invention provides methods that relate to a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of hematological malignancies and inflammatory diseases. In particular, the method comprises administering a compound of formula A,

##STR00001## wherein R is H, halo, or C1-C6 alkyl; R is C1-C6 alkyl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and optionally a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient; and administering at least one additional therapeutic agent.

Various embodiments disclosed relate to treatment of fungal infections. The present invention provides a method of treating a fungal infection including contacting a fungus including a -glucan that is at least partially masked from immune system detection with a therapeutically effective amount of a compound that at least partially unmasks the -glucan to increase immunogenicity of the fungus.