Patent 6,767,552

A method of treating or preventing oral fungal infection includes applying a polymerizable monomer adhesive composition to an area afflicted with or susceptible to oral fungal infection, optionally with at least one of an additional anti-fungal agent, and allowing the polymerizable monomer composition to polymerize to form a polymer film over the area.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides methods for preventing and/or treating oral fungal infections by applying a monomeric adhesive composition to the affected area, or to areas that are prone to infection. The monomeric adhesive composition of the present invention preferably comprises a polymerizable 1,1-disubstituted ethylene monomer such as a cyanoacrylate monomer, that may include or be accompanied by an additional anti-fungal agent. The composition reduces moisture contact with the affected area, keeps any active ingredients in contact with the affected area for a longer time, provides fast and effective treatment of oral fungal infection, and can act to prevent infection in the first instance, or prevent the spread of an infection to other areas.

The present invention provides an unexpected treatment or prevention composition and method for oral fungal infection, because polymerizable monomers such as 1,1-disubstitutyed ethylene monomers and cyanoacrylates have not previously been used to treat or prevent such conditions. Moreover, while such polymerizable monomers have been variously used on other parts of the body, such as for sealing open wounds, their use for treating or preventing oral fungal infection is an entirely and new and unexpected use of the materials.

The present treatment for or prevention of oral fungal infection is advantageous for several reasons. First, because oral fungal infection affects the patient's mouth, it is often very difficult for the patient to keep a treatment agent in contact with the affected area for an extended period of time. This is generally because higher levels of moisture present in the area tend to affect or likewise disturb the applied agent. Furthermore, because the treatment and prevention methods of the present invention provide a stronger physical barrier at the affected area, the risks of spread or transmission of the fungal infection, either to other areas of the patient's body or to other individuals, is significantly decreased. The present invention thus provides significant public health benefits.

Because cyanoacrylates tend to polymerize rapidly to form a relatively robust polymerized film, cyanoacrylates applied to an affected area (or to an area prone or susceptible to infection) can provide fast, effective protection over the affected area and other surfaces. By protecting the affected area from moisture and frictional contact, the cyanoacrylate compound can hold any applied active agents in place for a longer period of time and can accordingly significantly increase the time of exposure of an applied medication to the affected area, ensure more effective treatment, and minimize the possibility of re-infection or transmission of the fungal infection to other areas of the patient's body or to other individuals. Likewise, the same benefits can be obtained by applying the composition of the present invention to an area prone or susceptible to infection, which in turn aids in preventing spread or transmission of the infection.

In addition to forming a stronger barrier to keep moisture away from the affected area while maintaining active agents in contact with the area, cyanoacrylate compounds are also desirable for the treatment or prevention of oral fungal infections because of their inherent anti-fungal properties. In laboratory tests, it has been discovered that at least some cyanoacrylate compounds or formulations, even in the absence of an added anti-fungal agent, appears to inhibit fungal infections. Because of this anti-fungal property, such cyanoacrylate compounds and formulations may be especially desirable for treating or preventing oral fungal infections, even without the introduction or pre-application of other anti-fungal agents. Moreover, the anti-fungal properties of such cyanoacrylate compounds and formulations may also be beneficial in instances where an anti-fungal agent is applied before, or together with, the cyanoacrylate, because the cyanoacrylate can continue to provide its anti-fungal effect even after the applied anti-fungal agent has been completely absorbed or used up.

In addition, cyanoacrylate compounds are also useful as anti-fungal agent carriers or delivery agents. In this capacity, the cyanoacrylate compound provides the same protective and anti-fungal benefits, but also offers the added benefit of enhancing the treatment of the affected area by controllably releasing an anti-fungal agent to the affected area, or providing prolonged preventative benefits to an applied area by controllably releasing an anti-fungal agent to the area.

The present invention also provides various applicators that are suitable for applying the adhesive composition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

This invention is directed to methods of treating oral fungal infection, such as oral candidiasis or oral thrush, by applying a monomeric adhesive composition to an afflicted area of a patient's mouth. This invention is also directed to methods of preventing oral fungal infection by applying a monomeric adhesive composition to an area of a patient's mouth that is prone or susceptible to such infection.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the adhesive composition can be applied alone, or it can be applied subsequent to or concurrent with the application of a separate anti-fungal agent. Furthermore, in embodiments, the cyanoacrylate composition can itself include an anti-fungal agent in addition to polymerizable monomer.

According to the present invention, "treat" (or other forms of the word such as "treating" and "treatment") refers to employment of the methods against an established fungal infection. "Treat" thus encompasses both amelioration of effects of the fungal infection, such as by reducing swelling, irritation, pain and the like, and active reduction of the infection such as by killing the fungus and preventing re-growth of the fungus at an infected area.

According to the present invention, "prevent" (or other forms of the word such as "preventing" and "prevention") refers to employment of the methods against a subsequent fungal infection, such as at areas that are prone or susceptible to fungal infection. "Prevent" thus encompasses both prevention of spread of an established fungal infection, as well as prevention of infection in the first instance on the particular patient.

In embodiments of the invention, an adhesive composition can be used alone for treating or preventing oral fungal infection. In such embodiments, a patient or care-provider simply applies the composition to an area of the mouth afflicted with an oral fungal infection, or to an area where prevention of infection is desired. The composition then is permitted to polymerize to form a robust polymeric coating that effectively covers and protects the affected or applied area. Anti-fungal properties of the composition may inhibit or kill microbes, and the robust polymeric coating that the composition forms protects the area from frictional contact with other surfaces so that prolonged treatment or prevention can be achieved.

Preferably, the composition is applied in a sufficient amount to entirely cover the desired area, which generally would correspond to an affected area where an oral fungal infection is present, or to an areas that is prone or susceptible to infection. In embodiments, the composition covers an additional area around the desired area, for example to prevent further infection.

According to the present invention, the adhesive composition is preferably permitted to substantially or fully polymerize to form a polymer film before the treated area is permitted to contact other surfaces. Thus, for example, when the composition is applied to the tongue, the tongue is preferably kept separated from other surfaces in the mouth until the composition has substantially or fully polymerized, to prevent bonding the tongue and other surfaces together.

In further embodiments of the present invention, the adhesive composition can be applied over a medicament for treating or preventing oral fungal infections. The medicament in this embodiment is not particularly limited, and can include any of the available medicaments for the condition. The medicament can also be, or comprise, any suitable anti-fungal agent, as described below. In this embodiment, the medicament can be first applied to the affected or desired area, followed by application of a polymerizable adhesive composition. The medicament can be in any suitable form, including liquid, solid, powder, cream or the like, and can include only a medicament or can include other suitable additives such as diluents, carriers or the like. Where the medicament is in a liquid or a semi-liquid form, it is preferred that the medicament be permitted to dry, substantially or completely, prior to application of the adhesive composition. However, the adhesive composition can also be immediately applied over the applied medicament, or can be applied prior to drying of the medicament, if desired.

In embodiments of the present invention, an appropriate, preferably monomer-compatible, anti-fungal agent can be mixed with the polymerizable adhesive composition and a resultant composition applied to the affected or desired area. In this embodiment, the anti-fungal agent can be mixed with the polymerizable adhesive composition during manufacture (i.e. prior to packaging the materials), or immediately prior to use. However, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments. Thus, for example, the anti-fungal agent need not be monomer-compatible. In these embodiments, the anti-fungal agent can be mixed or combined with the polymerizable adhesive composition, usually just prior to application, and a resultant composition applied to the affected or desired area

In further embodiments of the present invention the anti-fungal agent may also serve as a polymerization initiator or a stabilizer. Thus, the anti-fungal agent can provide not only a biological activity, but a chemical one as well.

Anti-fungal agents that also serve as polymerization initiators can initiate and/or accelerate the polymerization of the composition when applied to an affected or desired area. Accelerated polymerization reduces the waiting time necessary after application, and makes the composition more convenient to apply. Suitable anti-fungal agents that can also serve as initiators include, but are not limited to, certain acidic and quaternary ammonium compounds. In embodiments where the anti-fungal agent also acts as a polymerization initiator or rate modifier, the present invention provides the additional advantage of not requiring that a further, separate polymerization initiator or rate modifier be used. Furthermore, in these embodiments, the anti-fungal agent is preferably located in a non-contacting relationship with the adhesive composition prior to use, so that premature polymerization of the adhesive composition does not occur.

Anti-fungal agents that also serve as stabilizers can extend the useful life of the composition. By increasing the useful life of the composition, the composition can be stored and packaged for longer periods of time without the risk of premature polymerization. Suitable anti-fungal agents that can also serve as stabilizers can include, but are not limited to, certain acidic and phenolic compounds. In embodiments where the anti-fungal agent also acts as a stabilizer for the adhesive composition, the present invention provides the additional advantage of not requiring that a further, separate stabilizer be used. Furthermore, in these embodiments, the anti-fungal agent is preferably located in a contacting relationship with the adhesive composition, such as being mixed with the adhesive composition, prior to use.

Although a mixture of anti-fungal agent and cyanoacrylate, according to the present invention, is not limited to a specific ratio of anti-fungal agent to cyanoacrylate, the anti-fungal agent is preferably present in an effective amount, preferably a therapeutically effective amount for treating or preventing the oral fungal infection.

When mixed or combined immediately prior to use, the anti-fungal agent can be mixed with the polymerizable cyanoacrylate composition in a suitable container and thereafter applied. Alternatively, mixing can be conducted during the application process, for example by using an applicator that is loaded with anti-fungal agent, which thereby mixes the agent with the adhesive composition during application.

Suitable anti-fungal agents include, but are not limited to, known agents such as parabens, cresols, azoles, allylamines, pollyenes, acidics, mercurials, quaternary ammonium compounds, other agents, non-polymer-stabilized compounds, i.e., that are not complexed with or otherwise part of a polymer species, mixtures thereof, and the like. Such anti-fungal agents should preferably be present in a therapeutically effective amount, particularly in cases where higher amounts may otherwise be toxic to the patient.

For example, suitable parabens include, but are not limited to, alkyl parabens and salts thereof, such as methylparaben, methylparaben sodium, ethylparaben, propylparaben, propylparaben sodium, butylparaben, and the like. Butyl-paraben is especially preferred as it can also act as a stabilizer for certain polymerizable monomers, such as cyanoacrylate monomers, in the adhesive composition. Suitable cresols include, but are not limited to, cresol, chlorocresol, and the like. Suitable azoles include, but are not limited to, voriconazole, ketoconazole, fluconazole, itraconazole, miconazole, clotrimazole, saperconazole, neticonazole, oxiconazole, isoconazole, sulconazole, tercanazole, tioconazole, and the like. Suitable allylamines include, but are not limited to, naftifine, SF86-327, and the like. Suitable polyenes include, but are not limited to, nyastatin, amphotericin B, pimaricin, and the like. Suitable acidics include, but are not limited to, benzoic acid and salts thereof, sorbic acid and salts thereof, propionic acids and salts thereof, boric acid and salts thereof, dehydroacetic acid, sulphurous and vanillic acids, and alkyl esters of pararhydrobenzoic acid. Suitable mercurials include but are not limited to, thiomersal, phenylmercuric acetate and nitrate, nitromersol and sodium ethylmercurithiosalicylate. Suitable quaternary ammonium compounds include, but are not limited to, benzalkonium chloride, cetylpyridinium chloride, benzethonium chloride, and cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide. Other known agents that can be used include, but are not limited to, hydroquinone, pyrocatechol, resorcinol, 4-n-hexyl resorcinol, captan (i.e., 3a,4,7,7a-tetrahydro-2-((trichloromethyl)thio)-1H-isoindole-1,3(2H)-dione) , benzalkonium chloride, benzalkonium chloride solution, benzethonium chloride, benzoic acid, benzyl alcohol, cetylpyridinium chloride, chlorobutanol, dehydroacetic acid, o-phenylphenol, phenol, phenylethyl alcohol, potassium benzoate, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, sodium dehydroacetate, sodium propionate, sorbic acid, thimerosal, thymol, chlorothymol, alcohols, chlorobutanol, phenoxy-2-ethanol, benzyl alcohol, .beta.-phenylethyl alcohol, chlorhexidine, 6-acetoxy-2,4-dimethyl-m-dioxane 2,4,4'trichloro-2'-hydroxy-diphenylether, imidizoldinylether urea compound, bromo-2-nitropropanediol-1,3 5-bromo-5-nitrol-1,3 dioxane 2-methyl 1-4-isothiazolin-3-one and 5 chloro derivative 1-(3-chloroallyl)-3,5,7-triazo 1-azoniaadamantane chloride (Dowicil 200), phenylmercuric compounds such as phenylmercuric borate, phenylmercuric nitrate and phenylmercuric acetate, formaldehyde, formaldehyde generators such as the preservatives Germall II.RTM. and Germall 115.RTM. (imidazolidinyl urea, available from Sutton Laboratories, Charthan, N.J.), morpholines, salicylic and benzoic acids, sodium and potassium iodides, flucytosine, 5-flucytosine, griseofulvin, terbinafine, cidofovir, famicoclovir, valacyclovir, echinocandins, pneumocandins, pradimicins, benanomicins, nikkomycins, amorolfine, polyoxins, duanorubicin citrate, doxorubicin hydrocholride, tolnaftate, ciclopirox, butenafine, ergestrol biosynthesis inhibitors, miconazole nitrate, povidone iodine complex, cliquinol, haloprogin, undecylenic acid, mixtures thereof, and the like.

Non-polymer-stabilized compounds, i.e., that are not complexed with or otherwise part of a polymer species, which can be either soluble or insoluble in the monomeric composition, can also be used. Where the compounds are insoluble in the monomeric composition, they must generally be capable of releasing species, such as ions, which are soluble in the monomer composition and provide the anti-fungal effect. Thus such compounds either themselves are, or provide, the anti-fungal agent. Such suitable non-polymer-complexed materials include, but are not limited to, metals and metal compounds. Examples of such metal compounds or elemental metals include, but not limited to, mercurial compounds, such as phenolmercuric chloride, phenolmercuric acetate, acetomeroctol, nitromersol, thimerosal, mercurochrome, mercuric chloride, and mercuric iodide; elemental metals, such as silver and copper; and metal compounds, such as copper chloride, copper sulfate, copper peptides, zinc chloride, zinc sulfate, zinc salts of cyanoacrylic acid, zinc salts of cyanoacetic acid, zinc salts of dicyanoglutaric acid, zinc salts of rosin, zinc oxide, zinc salts of polycyanoacrylic acid, zinc salts of polyacrylic acid, zinc bacitracin, zinc salicylate, zinc stearate, zinc citrate, zinc lactate, silver nitrate, silver iodide, silver acetate, silver benzoate, silver carbonate, silver chloride, silver citrate, silver oxide, silver sulfate, and tincture of iodine; as well as mixtures thereof and the like. Copper peptides are discussed, for example, in "Copper: An Essential Element for Life," ProCyte Corporation, available at

http://www.humatech.com/technology.html (Oct. 28, 1999), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Further information on anti-fungal activities of metals can be found, for example, in S. Seymour Block, Disinfection, Sterilization and Preservation, 3rd Ed., Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger, 1983, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The ions from the metal, which constitute the anti-fungal agent, diffuse into and through the adhesive composition.

Other suitable anti-fungal agents include the various compounds identified as such in The Merck Index, 12th Ed. (1996), incorporated herein by reference. Such agents include acrisorein, 3-amino-4-hydroxybutyric acid, ammonium mercuric chloride, amorolfine, amphotericin B, anthralin, azaserine, benzoic acid, bifonazole, biphenamine, boric acid, bromosalicylchloranilide, buclosamide, butenafine, butoconazole, calcium propionate, candicidin, chlordantoin, chlormidazole, chlorphenesin, chlorquinaldol, ciclopirox, cloconazole, clotrimazole, cloxyquin, coparaffinate, m-cresyl acetate, cupric sulfate, dermostatin, diamthazole dihydrochloride, econazole, enilconazole, etisazol, exalamide, fenticonazole, filipin, fluconazole, flucytosine, flutrimazole, fungichromin, griseofulvin, hachimycin, halethazole, hamycin, hexetidine, isoconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, lanoconazole, loflucarban, lucensomycin, Magenta I, mepartricin, 2-(methoxymethyl)-5-nitrofuran, miconazole, monensin, myxin, naftifine, natamycin, neomycin undecylenate, nifuratel, nystatin, oligomycins, omoconazole, ontianil, oxiconazole nitrate, pecilocin, perimycin, phenylmurcuric nitrate (basic), potassium iodide, propionic acid, pyrithione, pyrrolnitrin, rubijervine, salicylanilide, salicylic acid, saperconazole, sertaconzole, siccanin, sodium propionate, sulbentine, sulconazole, tenonitrozole, terbinafine, terconazole, thimerosal, tioconazole, tolciclate, tolindate, tolnaftate, triacetin, 2,4,6-tribromo-m-cresol, tubercidin, ujothion, undecylenic acid, viridin, zinc propionate, mixtures thereof, and the like.

In addition, in embodiments where monomer additives including, but not limited to those listed above, are insoluble with the monomer composition, the additive can be applied to a desired area before applying the monomer composition. In such embodiments, the additive and the monomer composition can be provided, for example, in separate packages in a kit.

In other embodiments, where such additives are soluble with the monomer composition, the additives can be combined with the monomer composition during manufacture of the composition. Moreover, in cases where the additive is soluble with the monomer composition, the additive can be applied before the monomer composition is applied, it can be pre-mixed with and applied together with the monomer composition, it can be mixed together with the monomer composition immediately before application, or it can even be applied after the monomer composition has been applied. As a result, in cases where a soluble additive is to be applied, the additive and the composition can be provided in a kit where the additive and the monomer composition are pre-mixed, or the additive and the monomer composition can be provided separately to be applied separately or mixed together immediately prior to, during, or after application.

Although a mixture of additive and cyanoacrylate, according to the present invention is not limited to a specific ratio of additive to cyanoacrylate, the additive is preferably present in an effective amount, and preferably in a therapeutically effective amount.

When mixed immediately prior to use, the additive can be mixed with the polymerized cyanoacrylate composition in a suitable container and thereafter applied. Alternatively, mixing can be conducted during the application process, for example by using an applicator loaded with anti-fungal agent, which thereby mixes the additive with the adhesive composition during application.

In addition, as discussed above with respect to suitable anti-fungal agents, various additives may also serve as polymerization initiators or rate modifiers. Also, suitable additives may serve as stabilizers for the adhesive composition.

In embodiments, the monomer composition and/or its packaging can be sterilized. However, sterilization is by no means required, particularly in view of the fact that most commercially available products for the treatment of oral fungal infection are not sterilized. Furthermore, whether or not the composition and container is sterilized, the composition can further include one or more suitable preservative, as described below.

Sterilization of the monomer composition and/or its packaging can be accomplished by techniques known to the skilled artisan, and is preferably accomplished by methods including, but not limited to, chemical, physical, and/or irradiation methods. Examples of chemical methods include, but are not limited to, exposure to ethylene oxide or hydrogen peroxide vapor. Examples of physical methods include, but are not limited to, sterilization by heat (dry or moist) or retort canning. Examples of irradiation methods include, but are not limited to, gamma irradiation, electron beam irradiation, and microwave irradiation. A preferred method is electron beam irradiation, as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/025,472, filed on Feb. 18, 1998, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The composition should also show low levels of toxicity to living tissue during its useful life. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the composition is sterilized to provide a Sterility Assurance Level (SAL) of at least 10-3. In embodiments, the Sterility Assurance Level may be at least 10-4, or may be at least 10-5, or may be at least 10-6.

The monomer (including prepolymeric) adhesive composition may include one or more polymerizable monomers. Preferred monomers that may be used in this invention are readily polymerizable, e.g. anionically polymerizable or free radical polymerizable, or polymerizable by zwitterion or ion pairs to form polymers. Such monomers include those that form polymers, that may, but do not need to, biodegrade. Such monomers are disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,328,687 and 5,928,611 to Leung et al., U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/430,177, filed on Oct. 29, 1999, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/471,392 filed Dec. 23, 1999, which are hereby incorporated in their entirety by reference herein.

The .alpha.-cyanoacrylates of the present invention can be prepared according to several methods known in the art. U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,721,858, 3,254,111, 3,995,641, and 4,364,876, each of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference herein, disclose methods for preparing .alpha.-cyanoacrylates.

The composition may optionally also include at least one other plasticizing agent that assists in imparting flexibility to the polymer formed from the monomer. The plasticizing agent preferably contains little or no moisture and should not significantly affect the stability or polymerization of the monomer. Examples of suitable plasticizers include but are not limited to tributyl citrate, acetyl tri-n-butyl citrate (ATBC), polymethylmethacrylate, polydimethylsiloxane, hexadimethylsilazane and others as listed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/471,392 filed Dec. 23, 1999, the disclosure of which is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein.

The composition may also optionally include at least one thixotropic agent. Suitable thixotropic agents are known to the skilled artisan and include, but are not limited to, silica gels such as those treated with a silyl isocyanate, and optionally surface treated titanium dioxide. Examples of suitable thixotropic agents and thickeners are disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,720,513, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/374,207 filed Aug. 12, 1999, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated in their entireties by reference herein.

The composition may optionally also include thickeners. Suitable thickeners may include poly (2-ethylhexy methacrylate), poly(2-ethylhexyl acrylate) and others as listed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/472,392 filed Dec. 23, 1999, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

The composition may also optionally include at least one natural or synthetic rubber to impart impact resistance. Suitable rubbers are known to the skilled artisan. Such rubbers include, but are not limited to, dienes, styrenes, acrylonitriles, and mixtures thereof. Examples of suitable rubbers are disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,313,865 and 4,560,723, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated in their entireties by reference herein.

The composition may optionally also include one or more stabilizers, preferably both at least one anionic vapor phase stabilizer and at least one anionic liquid phase stabilizer. These stabilizing agents may inhibit premature polymerization. Suitable stabilizers may include those listed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/471,392 filed on Dec. 23, 1999, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Furthermore, certain stabilizers may also function as anti-fungal agents, such as, for example, various acidic anti-fungals, as identified above.

The stability, and thus the shelf-life, of some monomeric adhesive compositions can be further enhanced and extended through careful regulation of the packaging. Treated (e.g., fluorinated polymer) packaging such as that disclosed in copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/430,289, filed Oct. 29, 1999, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, is preferred and may reduce the amount of stabilizer that is combined into the composition. As mentioned above, certain stabilizers including, but not limited to, certain acidics can also function as anti-fungal agents. In this case, the amount of the anti-fungal/stabilizer material is either not reduced below a level to provide the desired anti-fungal effect, or a further anti-fungal/non-stabilizing agent is added to ensure that the desired anti-fungal effect is provided.

The compositions may also include pH modifiers to control the rate of degradation of the resulting polymer, as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/714,288, filed Sep. 18, 1996, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Compositions of the present invention may also include at least one biocompatible agent effective to reduce active formaldehyde concentration levels produced during in vivo biodegradation of the polymer (also referred to herein as "formaldehyde concentration reducing agents"). Preferably, this component is a formaldehyde scavenger compound. Examples of formaldehyde scavenger compounds useful in this invention include sulfites; bisulfites; mixtures of sulfites and bisulfites, etc. Additional examples of formaldehyde scavenger compounds useful in this invention and methods for their implementation can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,328,687, 5,514,371, 5,514,372, 5,575,997, 5,582,834 and 5,624,669, all to Leung et al., which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

To improve the cohesive strength of adhesives formed from the compositions of this invention, difunctional monomeric cross-linking agents may be added to the monomer compositions of this invention. Such crosslinking agents are known. U.S. Pat. No. 3,940,362 to Overhults, which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by reference, discloses exemplary cross-linking agents.

The compositions of this invention may further contain fibrous reinforcement and colorants such as dyes, pigments, and pigment dyes. Examples of suitable fibrous reinforcement include PGA microfibrils, collagen microfibrils, and others as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/471,392 filed on Dec. 23, 1999, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

The polymerizable compositions useful in the present invention may also further contain one or more preservatives, for prolonging the storage life of the composition. Suitable preservatives, and methods for selecting them and incorporating them into adhesive compositions, are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/430,180, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Such preservatives can be in addition to any anti-fungal agent that may or may not be added to the composition, as described above. Such preservatives can be included irrespective of whether the composition and containers are sterilized.

In embodiments of the present invention, the composition and/or its applicator may contain materials such as a polymerization initiator, accelerator, rate-modifier, and/or cross-linking agent for initiating polymerization and/or cross-linking of the polymerizable monomer material. Suitable materials and applicators and packaging systems are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,928,611 and U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 09/430,177, 09/430,176, 09/430,289, 09/430,290, and 09/430,180 filed Oct. 29, 1999; 09/343,914 filed Jun. 30, 1999; 09/385,030 filed Aug. 30, 1999; and 09/176,889 filed Oct. 22, 1998; the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

According to the present invention, any suitable applicator can be used to apply the composition to the affected areas of. Suitable applicators and packaging systems are disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,928,611 and U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 09/430,177, 09/430,176, 09/430,289, 09/430,290, and 09/430,180 filed Oct. 29, 1999; 09/343,914 filed Jun. 30, 1999; 09/385,030 filed Aug. 30, 1999; and 09/176,889 filed Oct. 22, 1998; the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. A further suitable application is described in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/898,006, filed concurrently herewith, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Claim 1 of 49 Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A method of treating or preventing oral fungal infection, comprising:

a) applying an adhesive composition comprising a polymerizable monomer to an area that is afflicted with or susceptible to oral fungal infection; and

b) allowing said polymerizable monomer composition to polymerize to form a polymer film over said area,

where said polymerizable monomer composition comprises an .alpha.-cyanoacrylate monomer.

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