Patent ID: 7807369

Claim:
A method for treating anogenital intraepithelial neoplasia in a subject, comprising the steps of: (a) measuring or detecting the presence of a CD4+ type 1 T helper (Th1) cell response against an human papilloma virus (HPV) early antigen of HPV protein E2, E6 or E7 in said subject to ascertain whether the subject has a detectable CD4+ Th1cell response against said antigen; and (b) in a subject in whom said CD4+ Th1-cell response is detectable, (i) locally administering to or near a lesion of the neoplasia an effective amount of a Toll-like receptor-7 (TLR-7)-activating compound selected from the group consisting of imiquimod, R848/resiquimod, loxoribine and bropirimine, thereby inducing local inflammation, and, (ii) optionally, immunizing the subject with the early HPV antigen before, during or after the local administration of step (b)(i), to prolong or enhance the antigen-specific Th1cell response; or (c) in a subject in whom said CD4+ Th1cell response is undetectable, immunizing the subject with said early HPV antigen to elicit said antigen-specific Th1cell response and, concurrently or thereafter, locally administering to or near said lesion an effective amount of the TLR-7 activating compound, thereby inducing local inflammation, wherein the local inflammation produced by the local administration of the TLR-7 activating compound and the Th1cell response present in the subject, with or without said immunization of step (b)(ii) or (c), results in treatment of said neoplasia.