Patent ID: 8592390

Claim:
A method for enhancing steroid efficacy in a steroid refractory patient afflicted with an inflammatory condition who does not respond or responds poorly or inadequately to steroid anti-inflammatory treatment or a steroid dependent patient afflicted with an inflammatory condition and currently on and responding adequately to steroid anti-inflammatory treatment who shows an inability to be weaned off systemically or topically administered steroid treatment without increasing the severity of the inflammatory condition, comprising: administering to the patient an oligonucleotide having the sequence 5′-X m -CG-Y n -3′ wherein X is A, T, C, or G, Y is A, T, C, or G, and m is 1-20 and n is 1-20 and wherein at least one CG dinucleotide is unmethylated, wherein the oligonucleotide is administered in an amount effective to improve sensitivity of the patient to the steroid anti-inflammatory treatment and thereby induce a clinical response in the steroid refractory patient or improve a clinical response in the steroid dependent patient.