Modulation of Fas and FasL expression

Abstract

A method employing a composition comprising a 2 to 10 base synthetic oligonucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of (GG) n , (GT) n , a(GT) n b, a(GA) n b, and a(GC) n b, wherein n is an integer between 1 and 3, and a and b are independently either none or one or more As, Cs, Gs, or Ts, or combinations thereof, for modulation of Fas and FasL expression or for modulation of the efficacy of therapeutic agents. The composition is administered to an animal or human with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and optionally with a therapeutic agent, in an amount effective to modulate Fas and FasL expression, to treat the disease, or to modulate efficacy of the therapeutic agent.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A composition comprising a synthetic oligonucleotide sequence of 2 to 10 bases, selected from the group consisting of (GG) n , (GT) n , a(GT) n b, a(GA) n b, and a(GC) n b, wherein n is an integer between 1 and 3, and a and b are independently either none or one or more As, Cs, Gs, or Ts, or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the sequence is 4 to 8 bases.  
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the sequence is 5 to 7 bases.  
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the sequence is 6 bases.  
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the sequence is any one of SEQ ID NO: 1 to SEQ ID NO:18.  
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.  
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising a therapeutic agent.  
     
     
         8 . A method of modulating Fas or FasL expression in an animal or a human comprising administration of the composition of  claim 1  and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier to the animal or the human in an amount effective to modulate Fas or FasL expression in the animal or the human.  
     
     
         9 . A method of modulating Fas or FasL expression in an animal or a human comprising administration of the composition of  claim 4  and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier to an animal or a human in an amount effective to modulate Fas or FasL expression in the animal or the human.  
     
     
         10 . A method of modulating efficacy of a therapeutic agent in an animal or human comprising administration of an effective amount of the composition of  claim 1 , before, concurrently with, or after administration of the therapeutic agent, wherein the amount is effective to modulate efficacy of the therapeutic agent.  
     
     
         11 . A method of modulating efficacy of a therapeutic agent in an animal or human comprising administration of an effective amount of the composition of  claim 4 , before, concurrently with, or after administration of the therapeutic agent, wherein the amount is effective to modulate efficacy of the therapeutic agent.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the animal or human has a disease.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the disease is cancer.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the cancer is selected from the group consisting of ovarian, prostate, breast, bladder, and leukemia.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the disease is autoimmune encephalomyelitis.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the animal or human has inflammation, infection, graft rejection, tissue rejection or cell rejection.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the animal or human has a disease.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the animal or human has a disease.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the animal or human has a disease.