Methods of using immunostimulatory nucleic acid molecules to treat allergic conditions
View Patent ↗Nucleic acids containing unmethylated CpG dinucleotides and therapeutic utilities based on their ability to stimulate an immune response and to redirect a Th2 response to a Th1 response in a subject are disclosed. Methods for treating atopic diseases, including atopic dermatitis, are disclosed.
1. A method for treating an allergic condition, the method comprising administering to a subject in need of treatment of an allergic condition an immunostimulatory oligonucleotide 8 to 100 nucleotides long, comprising:
5′ X 1 X 2 CGX 3 X 4 3′
wherein the C is unmethylated and wherein X 1 , X 2 , X 3 , and X 4 are nucleotides, wherein the oligonucleotide is administered without an allergen, in an effective amount to treat the allergic condition.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein 5′ X 1 X 2 CGX 3 X 4 3′ is not a palindrome.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the allergic condition is selected from the group consisting of eczema, allergic rhinitis, hay fever, urticaria, and food allergies.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide is 8 to 40 nucleotides long.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide is a stabilized oligonucleotide.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide comprises a phosphate backbone modification which is a phosphorothioate or phosphorodithioate modification.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the immunostimulatory nucleic acid is administered to the subject orally.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the immunostimulatory nucleic acid is administered to the subject transdermally.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the immunostimulatory nucleic acid is administered to the subject by injection.