Drug – bio-affecting and body treating compositions – Designated organic active ingredient containing – Hydrocarbon doai
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-18
2001-05-29
Travers, Russell (Department: 1617)
Drug, bio-affecting and body treating compositions
Designated organic active ingredient containing
Hydrocarbon doai
Reexamination Certificate
active
06239182
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention generally relates to a method for preventing sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and/or reducing the rate of transmission of such sexually transmitted diseases. This method can be used by heterosexual, homosexual, and bisexual individuals to significantly reduce the risk of being infected by, or of transmitting, a sexually transmitted disease through sexual contact. The present method is especially effective for reducing the risk of transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and herpes simplex virus (HSV). The risk of transmission of other sexually transmitted diseases may also be reduced. The present method of this invention is especially effective when used in conjunction with so-called “safe sex” techniques. This method can also be used by health-care providers or others to reduce their risk of being infected by such STDs through contact with bodily fluids of STD-infected patients (especially HIV/AIDS patients).
In one embodiment, the method of this invention generally comprises the application of an effective amount of an inhibitory agent, preferably as a topical formulation, to the area or areas of sexual contact prior to engaging in sexual activity. Inhibitory agents which are useful in the present invention include, for example, phosphorylated hesperidins, sulfonated hesperidins, polystyrene sulfonates, substituted benzenesulfonic acid formaldehyde co-polymers, H
2
SO
4
-modified mandelic acids, and the like. It appears that these inhibitory agents primarily act by inhibiting the STD-cell organisms rather than killing them (i.e., the inhibitory agents are gencrally noncytotoxic relative to the STD-causing organisms). Of course, as one skilled in the art will realize, these inhibitory agents may act as cytotoxic agents if present in higher concentrations. In addition to anti-STD activity, these inhibitory agents may also act as vaginal contraceptives; moreover, they generally have fewer side effects than conventional vaginal contraceptives (e.g., nonoxynol-9). For example, the compounds useful in this invention are generally not toxic (or only slightly toxic) at their effective levels to natural and beneficial vaginal flora and, thus, do not significantly upset the local microbiological balance. The anti-STD method of the present invention has the added advantage that it can be implemented and controlled by either sexual party.
In another embodiment, the method of this invention generally comprises the application of an effective amount of an inhibitory agent to the area or areas of an individual likely to come in contact, or which have come in contact, with bodily fluids from a person who may be inflected with a sexually transmitted disease. This embodiment is expected to be especially useful to health care providers and/or laboratory personnel working with HIV/AIDS patients and/or blood or tissue samples from such patients. Inhibitory agents which are useful in the present invention include, for example, phosphorylated hesperidins, sulfonated hesperidins, polystyrene sulfonates, substituted benzenesulfonic acid formaldehyde co-polymers, H
2
SO
4
-modified mandelic acids, and the like. This method is not intended to replace prudent health-care or laboratory procedures but is rather intended to offer supplemental protection in cases where the risk of exposure is present or in cases where exposure actually occurs.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In recent years, sexually transmitted diseases have become an increasing medical problem and concern throughout the world. The HIV/AIDS epidemic over the last decade or so has significantly and dramatically underscored the threat of STDs to the human population. Until there is a cure, or at least an effective treatment, the best, and perhaps only realistic, approach to this increasing problem of STDs (especially HIV/AIDS) appears to be reducing the risk of transmission of STDs by the STD-causing organisms and thus reducing the number of individuals who become newly infected. Even when treatments or cures become available, prevention of infections in the initial instance will likely remain as the first line of defense. For economic, medical, and psychological reasons, it is preferable to prevent the initial infection rather than treating, and even curing, individuals with STDs.
At present, education in regard to STDs, their modes of transmission, and so-called “safe-sex” techniques has, at least to some degree in the more developed countries, shown promise in reducing the risks of STD transmission through sexual activity. Screening of the blood supply has helped to reduce the risk of transmission of such STD-causing organisms via blood transfusions and related medical practices. Nonetheless, the spread of such STDs has not been halted to a satisfactory degree even in developed countries with active and progressive education programs. Even with their known effectiveness in preventing STDs, current safe-sex techniques are not always used, or are not always used properly, for many reasons (e.g. carelessness, lack of knowledge, improper techniques, cultural barriers, unplanned or spontaneous sexual activity, and the like). Moreover, even when used, safe-sex techniques (except perhaps abstinence) are not always effective. For example, condoms are generally only about 90 percent effective in preventing conception when used alone; in the case of such failures, STD-causing organisms, if present, may pass from one sexual partner to the other.
Various birth control devices—including barrier methods and vaginal contraceptives—are currently available. Some of these may, in addition, also have a least some degree of anti-STD activity. For example, condoms can help prevent the transmission of STDs so long as they are properly used and/or they perform properly. Nonoxynol-9, currently one of the most widely used contraceptive agents, is reported, at least in some cases, to reduce the risk of transmission of some STDs. Nonoxynol-9, which is a nonionic detergent with strong surfactant properties, acts, like most other chemical-based contraceptives, by killing or otherwise immobilizing spermatozoa (e.g., spermicidal activity). Nonoxynol-9 is a potent cytotoxic agent which tends to nonspecifically disrupt cell membranes. These properties, however, give rise to some very significant disadvantages. Because nonoxynol-9 is strongly cytotoxic, it can injure vaginal/cervical epithelial and other cells at concentrations as low as about 0.0005 percent. Clinical studies have confirmed epithelial disruption of the vagina and cervix. Nonoxynol-9 also disrupts the normal vaginal flora which provides a protective mechanism, perhaps by maintaining a low pH, to guard against the invasion of pathogenic microbes. Nonoxynol-9 may also partially dissolve or remove the protective glycoprotein coating in the vagina. The cytotoxic, flora-disruptive, and glycoprotein-removal effects of nonoxynol-9 can lead to vaginal damage or injury, including lesions. Some women are especially sensitive to nonoxynol-9 and manifest these effects with only occasional use. The disruption of these protective mechanisms by nonoxynol-9 can actually increase the risks of STD since the breakdown of the protective mechanisms, and especially the occurrence of lesions, allows STD-causing organisms an easier pathway into the cells. Thus, any anti-STD activity of the contraceptive may be reduced or even lost (i.e., overwhelmed) by the increased risk of infection due to physical damage from the contraceptive. Even if such a contraceptive method provided some degree of STD protection, it would, of course, mainly be directed at heterosexual relationships in which pregnancy was not desired.
It would be desirable, therefore, to provide improved methods for reducing the risk of STD infections during sexual activity. It would be desirable if such methods would not interfere with the natural and protective vaginal mechanisms. It would also be desirable if such methods would be relatively easy to use and have significantly fewer side effects than currently available
Anderson, Jr. Robert Anthony
Chany, II Calvin J.
Diao Xiao Hui
Garg Sanjay
Waller Donald Paul
Fitch Even Tabin & Flannery
Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center
Travers Russell
LandOfFree
Method for preventing sexually transmitted diseases does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method for preventing sexually transmitted diseases, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method for preventing sexually transmitted diseases will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2463595