Immunomodulatory oligonucleotides

US8148340B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• The United States of America, as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services · US
• University of Iowa Research Foundation · US
• PFIZER INC. · US

Inventors

• Arthur M. Krieg · Wellesley, US
• Dennis Klinman · Potomac, US
• Alfred Steinberg · Potomac, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 9, 2004
• Grant date: Apr 3, 2012
• Expiry date: Mar 11, 2026

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61K2039/55561
• WIPO field: Pharmaceuticals
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Oligonucleotides containing unthylated CpG dinucleotides and therapeutic utilities based on their ability to stimulate an immune response in a subject are disclosed. Also disclosed are therapies for treating diseases associated with immune system activation that are initiated by unthylated CpG dinucleotides in a subject comprising administering to the subject oligonucleotides that do not contain unmethylated CpG sequences (i.e. methylated CpG sequences or no CpG sequence) to outcompete unmethylated CpG nucleic acids for binding. Further disclosed are methylated CpG containing dinucleotides for use antisense therapies or as in vivo hybridization probes, and immunoinhibitory oligonucleotides for use as antiviral therapeutics.