Abstract: A test kit for selecting a therapy for a steroid resistant patient presenting inflammatory symptoms comprises primer pairs or antibodies specific for at least one marker gene or protein translated from at least one marker gene, and instructions for use. The primer pairs or antibodies enable analysis of expression level of the at least one marker gene or translated protein from the at least one marker gene.

Abstract: The invention concerns an in vitro method for selecting the therapy for a steroid resistant patient, wherein the method comprises isolating cells from a sample taken from said patient; cultivating said isolated cells in the presence of a steroid, an immunomodulatory oligonucleotide or a mixture thereof; determining an expression level of at least one marker gene in said isolated cells; and comparing said expression level of said at least one marker gene to a value obtained from the cultivation of cells from a healthy person in the presence of a steroid, an immunomodulatory oligonucleotide or a mixture thereof, or to a normalized value obtained from a healthy population. Examples of marker genes are CD163, Tsp1, IL1-R2, TLR2, TLR4, MKP-1 and TXK.

Abstract: Isolated and substantially purified oligonucleotide compounds have been shown to be effective in reducing swelling and edema. Novel methods and substances are presented for the prevention, alleviation or treatment of edema of various aetiology.

Abstract: The response of immunotherapy in the treatment of cancer is enhanced by use of an oligonucleotide in a dose effective to induce at least one of endogenous production of cytokines, and the regulation of the expression of one or more of the cell surface antigens (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A quantification of the expression levels of a number of specific genes and their corresponding proteins can be utilized in accurately determining, using samples from faeces or blood, whether the patient is suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and in a follow up analysis using a biopsy, determine if the same patient is afflicted with ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn's disease (CD). The method also has utility in determining the severity of the disease, as well as observing a patient's response to treatment.

Abstract: The invention concerns an in vitro method for selecting the therapy for a steroid resistant patient, wherein the method comprises isolating cells from a sample taken from said patient; cultivating said isolated cells in the presence of a steroid, an immunomodulatory oligonucleotide or a mixture thereof; determining an expression level of at least one marker gene in said isolated cells; and comparing said expression level of said at least one marker gene to a value obtained from the cultivation of cells from a healthy person in the presence of a steroid, an immunomodulatory oligonucleotide or a mixture thereof, or to a normalized value obtained from a healthy population. Examples of marker genes are CD163, Tsp1, IL1-R2, TLR2, TLR4, MKP-1 and TXK.

Abstract: Isolated and substantially purified oligonucleotide compounds have been shown to be effective in reducing swelling and edema. Novel methods and substances are presented for the prevention, alleviation or treatment of edema of various aetiology.

Abstract: Agents useful for modulating the dioxin/aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) can now be identified by determining the binding to said receptor and whether said agent suppresses or inhibits the expression of a gene substantially consisting of a sequence according to one of SEQ. ID. NO. 1 and SEQ. ID. NO. 2; a nucleotide sequence functionally homologous, or substantially homologous, or at least 90% identical to one of SEQ. ID. NO. 1 and SEQ. ID. NO. 2; and a nucleotide sequence complementary to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ. ID. NO. 1 or SEQ. ID. NO. 2. Such agents find utility in pharmaceutical compositions and methods for the prevention, alleviation or treatment of diseases involving gastrointestinal hyperplasia, such as gastrointestinal cancer or gastric cancer.

Abstract: Agents useful for modulating the dioxin/aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) can now be identified by determining the binding to said receptor and whether said agent suppresses or inhibits the expression of a gene substantially consisting of a sequence according to one of SEQ.ID. NO. 1 and SEQ.ID. NO. 2; a nucleotide sequence functionally homologous, or substantially homologous, or at least 90% identical to one of SEQ.ID. NO. 1 and SEQ.ID. NO. 2; and a nucleotide sequence complementary to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ.ID. NO. 1 or SEQ.ID. NO. 2. Such agents find utility in pharmaceutical compositions and methods for the prevention, alleviation or treatment of diseases involving gastrointestinal hyperplasia, such as gastrointestinal cancer or gastric cancer.