Composition and medical device comprising acetylsalicylic acid for the treatment of human papilloma virus skin infections

Abstract

A medical device for the treatment of papilloma virus (HPV) skin infections is the object of this invention, in particular for the treatment of warts and related pathologies. In particular, this invention relates to acetylsalicylic acid for use in the topical treatment, of HPV skin infections in particular benign infections and more in particular warts. Acetylsalicylic acid may be administered by plaster or patch, both in a solid state, such as a tablet, powder or granulate, and by a hydrophilic or hydrophobic gel.

Claims

1. A method of treating HPV skin infections consisting of administering topically to skin of a patient a therapeutically effective amount of acetylsalicylic acid, wherein the acetylsalicylic acid is contained in a patch or plaster, wherein the patch or the plaster consists of acetylsalicylic acid with common excipients, a layer or adhesive material facing the skin to be treated, and an impermeable layer facing outward; and, wherein HPV skin infections in such patient are treated.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the HPV skin infections are of the benign type.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the HPV skin infections are papillomata, condylomata, condylomata of the male or female genital organs or common, plantar or flat, warts.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the acetylsalicylic acid is in a solid state or embedded in a polymer matrix.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the dosage of acetylsalicylic acid is comprised between 0.3 and 5 g/day or between 0.3 and 4 g/day, or between 0.3 and 1.2 g/day, or between 0.5 and 1 g/day.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the impermeable layer is selected from: polyethylene terephthalate film (PET) polyethylene film polyurethane film polyamide film ethylene vinyl alcohol co-polymer (EVA) film laminates comprising two or more layers of film selected from those listed above.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 depicts a schematic cross-section view of a first embodiment of the medical device according to the invention;

(2) FIG. 2 depicts a schematic cross-section view of a second embodiment of the medical device according to the invention;

(3) FIG. 3 depicts a schematic cross-section view of a third embodiment of the medical device according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(4) This invention relates to acetylsalicylic acid for use in the treatment of HPV skin infections in particular of benign skin infections such as warts, whether common or plantar or flat, papillomata, condylomata, etc.

(5) In certain embodiments, the skin infections treated with acid acetylsalicylic according to the invention are the so-called genital warts, more often known as condylomata acuminato, that appear as excrescences or protuberances on the skin. Said condylomata are the expression of an HPV genital infection transmitted through sexual routes, even though the possibility of infection by other non-sexual routes cannot be ruled out.

(6) In the male, the condylomata occur, preferentially, at the gland level, urinary meatus, frenulum, penis, and sulcus of the preputial gland; in women, instead, the areas most affected are the vulva, the neck of the uterus and the vagina.

(7) The condylomata may be in relief or flat, large or small; sometimes they may be grouped together and take on a form that is similar to a polyp or an cauliflower. In some cases the warts have the same color as the skin and so small and flat that they can pass unobserved. Frequently, condylomata are asymptomatic, even though certain variations generate a burning sensation, itching and local irritation.

(8) Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) in accordance with this invention is used for topical administration, in solid state or embedded in a polymer matrix.

(9) In preferred embodiments, the dosage of ASA is comprised between 0.3 and 5 g/day, or between 0.3 and 4 or between 0.3 and 1.2 g/day, preferably between 0.5 and 1 g/day.

(10) In general, ASA will be contained in a patch or plaster comprising a layer or adhesive material facing the skin to be treated and an impermeable layer facing outward.

(11) The impermeable layer is preferably selected from: polyethylene terephthalate film (PET) polyethylene film polyurethane film polyamide film ethylene vinyl alcohol co-polymer (EVA) film laminates comprising two or more layers of film selected from those listed above.

(12) In the case of laminates, they may be manufactured by bonding or by coextrusion.

(13) These films are commercial and well-known to the experts.

(14) The layer or adhesive material may be in the form of strips, arranged along opposing ends of the plaster, for example, or along its perimeter, in a continuous or discontinuous line. In other embodiments, the layer or adhesive material takes the form of square or round pads, or of other shapes, arranged in discrete areas of the plaster face facing the skin to be treated.

(15) The adhesive used for the purpose of this invention is an easily removable adhesive. In certain embodiments, a hot melt type glue comprising a thermoplastic polymer and containing zinc oxide, preferably in weighted amounts comprised between 5% and 35%, more preferably between 10% and 20%, are used.

(16) In certain embodiments, the thermoplastic polymer is selected from: acrylic polymers, butyl rubber, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) polymers, natural rubber, nitrile polymers, silicon rubbers, styrene co-polymers, preferably styrene butylene co-polymer (SBC, SBS), styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene co-polymer (SEBS), styrene-ethylene-propylene co-polymer (SEP) or styrene-isoprene-styrene (SIS) copolymer, or vinyl polymers.

(17) In the preferred embodiment, the thermoplastic polymer is added with agents that favor adhesion. In the preferred embodiment, such agents are selected from: terpenes and modified terpenes, cycloaliphatic resins, aromatic resins, rosin, hydrogenated hydrocarbon resins, terpene phenol resins and silicone resins.

(18) In certain embodiments, ASA is used in the form of a tablet applied on the cutaneous manifestation to be treated by means of a plaster or patch as set forth above.

(19) In other embodiments, ASA is contained in a polymer matrix, e.g. in the form of a hydrophilic or hydrophobic gel or in the form of a tablet.

(20) Hydrophilic Gels:

(21) The gelling liquid phase is water.

(22) In preferred embodiments, the gelling substances are selected from: polyacrylic acid and salts thereof, e.g. Carbopol-934, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, methylcellulose 400 and 4000 cPs, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) 25, 100, 4000 and 15000 cPs, xanthan gum, acacia (arabic gum), agar-agar, guar gum, locust bean gum, alginates, molasses, mannose and galactose polysaccharides, chitosan, modified starches

(23) or mixtures thereof.

(24) In preferred embodiments, the gelling substances are contained in the composition of the gel in amounts between 0.5% and 6%, more preferably between 1% and 4%, by weight.

(25) Hydrophobic Gels:

(26) Hydrophobic gels are anhydrous systems, wherein the dispersant phase is comprised of a hydrophobe dispersant.

(27) In the preferred embodiments, the dispersant phase is selected from: vegetable oils (triglycerides), vegetable waxes, for example Simmondsia chinensis oil, liquid paraffin, hydrogenated polymers of 1-decene, high molecular weight silicone, for example dimethicone.

(28) The preferred gelling agents are selected from: colloidal silica, fatty acid aluminum salts, high molecular weight fatty alcohols, preferably comprised between 100 and 450 DA, ozokerite, vegetable waxes, animal waxes.

(29) Hydrophilic, Hydrophobic or Lipid Matrices:

(30) ASA may also be formulated in special hydrophilic, hydrophobic lipid matrices or matrices that are dry, e.g. by direct compression of the drug in the polymer matrix or also mixing granules of ASA and polymer matrix before compression.

(31) The hydrophilic matrices shall be those defined above for hydrophilic gels.

(32) The hydrophobic matrices are preferably polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, ethyl cellulose, acrylate polymers based, or based on the co-polymers thereof.

(33) In these solid forms, the ASA is released thanks to the penetration of vapor or sweat into the polymer matrix. The result is a delayed and essentially constant release over time, caused by the slow dissolution and thus dispersion of the active ingredient through a network of channels existing between the compacted polymer particles.

(34) The lipid matrices are prepared from the waxes and from the lipids. The active ingredient is released both through dispersion pores and by erosion. In certain embodiments, carnauba wax is used in combination with stearic acid.

(35) Biodegradable matrices may also be used, as natural polymers such as proteins and polysaccharides, as such or modified, or also synthetic polymers such as aliphatic polyesters and polyanhydrides, or matrices deriving from seaweeds, such as alginic acid, may be used.

(36) In the treatment of condylomata of the male or female genital organs, ASA will be used in creams, vaginal creams or gels or gynecological foams or vaginal suppositories for topical use.

(37) Such pharmaceutical forms can be prepared using conventional methods and excipients well known to experts. Such methods are described, for example, in Remington, The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, Edited by Allen, Loyd V., Jr, 22nd edition, 2012.

(38) Acetylsalicylic acid may also be associated with another active ingredient with inflammatory or emollient and lenitive activity, also of plant origin such as, for example Malva sylvestris, Melaleuca alternifolia, and Helianthus annuus.

(39) In preferred embodiments, ASA is in micronized form.

(40) In the patch or plasters according to this invention, the delayed release of the drug depends on various factors.

(41) A first one important factor is the porosity of the matrix. For the purpose of this invention, a macro or micro-porosity matrix or also non-porous matrix may be used.

(42) The macro-porosity matrices have pores of sizes comprised between 0.1 and 1 microns. The drug spreads through said holes.

(43) The micro-porosity matrices have pores of sizes comprised between 50 and 200 Angstrom. In this case also the drug spreads through the pores.

(44) In the non-porous matrices, the drug disperses through the network grid and release is slower.

(45) Other important factors are: the solubility of ASA, that being high enough allows its release by way of dissolution through erosion of the matrix; the hydration/swelling ratio of the polymer matrix used, the polymer viscosity, in that increasing the polymer's molecular weight or its viscosity in the gel layer, the dissolution of ASA slows; the polymer concentration, in that an increase of its concentration causes an increase of the gel viscosity and therefore a slower diffusion of the drug; the thickness of the polymer and of the hydrodynamic dispersion layer, wherein an increase of thickness causes a slower release of the drug; the dispersion surface area, in that a smaller dispersion area accelerates the release of the drug; the presence of diluting agents or additives, in that water-soluble diluting agents such as lactose increase the rate of release, whereas insoluble diluting agents such as dicalcium phosphate reduce the diffusion and increase erosion.

(46) In FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, certain embodiments of a medical device for the topical administration are shown in accordance with this invention. In such embodiments, the polymer matrix, the outside impermeable layer and the adhesive layer are selected from those previously described.

(47) In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 1, ASA is administered in the form of a patch or plaster 1 applied to the skin zone C on which the HPV infection to be treated, e.g. a wart V, is present.

(48) Patch 1 comprises a solid dose 2 of ASA, e.g. a tablet, a powder, a granulate or another conventional solid form, wherein ASA may be in pure form or added with the common excipients, and an adhesive layer 3 that typically surrounds the solid dose 2.

(49) Positioned above the solid dose 2 is a dose pusher plate 4. Patch 1 is covered on the outside with an impermeable layer 5.

(50) In a particular preferred embodiment of patch 1 of FIG. 1, the solid dose 2 of ASA comprises ASA in a hydrophilic matrix (such as for example hydroxyethylcellulose) and/or modified starches.

(51) In other embodiments, shown in FIG. 2, the patch or plaster 101 comprises a polymer matrix 102 containing ASA, wherein the ASA is dispersed in an adhesive polymer that is melted by solvent or hot-melted on the impermeable layer 105. The face of plaster 101 facing the surface to be treated comprises an adhesive layer 103.

(52) In a particular preferred embodiment of patch 101 of FIG. 2, the polymer matrix 102 comprises ASA in vaseline-liquid paraffin (7:3) and urea at 20% by weight.

(53) In other forms of the embodiment, shown in FIG. 3, the patch or plaster 201 comprises a polymer matrix 202 containing ASA in the form of microspheres, that can be obtained by suspending the ASA in an aqueous solution of a water-soluble polymer and then homogeneously dispersing such suspension in a lipophilic polymer so as to form microspheres 206 containing ASA.

(54) The outer face of the patch 201 comprises an impermeable layer 205 while the face of the patch 201 facing the surface to be treated comprises an adhesive edge 203 surrounding the polymer matrix 202.

(55) In a particular preferred embodiment of patch 201 of FIG. 3, the polymer matrix 202 comprises acetylsalicylic acid in sodium carboxymethylcellulose about 5% by weight, about 12% by weight ethanol, about 20% by weight glycerin, about 16% by weight propylene glycol and distilled water q.s. to 100%.

(56) It is obvious that only certain particular embodiments of this invention have been described, to which an expert skilled in the art shall be able to make all the modifications necessary to adapt it to particular applications, without however departing from the scope of protection of this invention.