Immunostimulatory nucleic acids for the treatment of asthma and allergy

Abstract

The invention involves administration of an immunostimulatory nucleic acid alone or in combination with an asthma/allergy medicament for the treatment or prevention of asthma and allergy in subjects. The combination of drugs are administered in synergistic amounts or in various dosages or at various time schedules. The invention also relates to kits and compositions concerning the combination of drugs.

We claim:  
     
         1 - 36 . (Canceled)  
     
     
         37 . A method of suppressing a symptom of an allergic response in a subject, the method comprising: administering to the subject a first dose of an immunostimulatory nucleic acid; and administering to the subject a second dose of an immunostimulatory nucleic acid, wherein the immunostimulatory nucleic acid comprises a nucleotide sequence comprising 5′-CG-3′, and wherein the second dose is administered from about 1 day to about 8 weeks after the first dose.  
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the second dose is administered from about 1 day to about 7 days after the first dose.  
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the second dose is administered from about 1 week to about 2 weeks after the first dose.  
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the second dose is administered from about 2 weeks to about 4 weeks after the first dose.  
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the first dose is co-administered with an antigen.  
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the second dose is co-administered with an antigen.  
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the first dose and second dose are co-administered with an antigen.  
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the subject is a human.  
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the first and the second doses are administered by inhalation.  
     
     
         46 . A method for maintaining suppression of a Th2 immune response in a subject, the method comprising: administering to a subject a first dose of an immunostimulatory nucleic acid; and administering to the subject a second dose of an immunostimulatory nucleic acid, wherein the immunostimulatory nucleic acid comprises a nucleotide sequence comprising 5′-CG-3′, and wherein the second dose is administered from about 1 day to about 8 weeks after the first dose.  
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the second dose is administered from about 1 day to about 7 days after the first dose.  
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the second dose is administered from about 1 week to about 2 weeks after the first dose.  
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the second dose is administered from about 2 weeks to about 4 weeks after the first dose.  
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the subject is a human.  
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the first and the second doses are administered by inhalation.  
     
     
         52 . A method for maintaining stimulation of a Th1 immune response in a subject, the method comprising: administering to a subject a first dose of an immunostimulatory nucleic acid; and administering to the subject a second dose of an immunostimulatory nucleic acid, wherein the immunostimulatory nucleic acid comprises a nucleotide sequence comprising 5′-CG-3′, and wherein the second dose is administered from about 1 day to about 8 weeks after the first dose.  
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the second dose is administered from about 1 day to about 7 days after the first dose.  
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the second dose is administered from about 1 week to about 2 weeks after the first dose.  
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the second dose is administered from about 2 weeks to about 4 weeks after the first dose.  
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the subject is a human.