Oromucosal cytokine compositions and uses thereof

A method for treating diseases that would benefit from TH1 stimulation, comprising stimulating the host defense mechanisms in a mammal having such a disease by oromucosally administering, in a single dose, an effective amount of a TH1-stimulating cytokine selected from the group consisting of IL-2, IL-12, IL-15, IL-18, TNF-β and GM-CSF, wherein said oromucosal administration is accomplished in a manner that provides contact of the cytokine with the oromucosal cavity of the recipient for a period of time sufficient to obtain the desired stimulation.

A method for treating allergic disorders, asthma or atopic dermatitis, comprising stimulating the host defense mechanisms in a mammal having such a disease by oromucosally administering an effective amount of a TH1-stimulating cytokine selected from the group consisting of IL-2, IL-12, IL-15, IL-18, TNF-β and GM-CSF, wherein said oromucosal administration is accomplished in a manner that provides contact of the cytokine with the oromucosal cavity of the recipient for a period of time sufficient to obtain the desired stimulation.

A method for treating diseases that would benefit from TH1 stimulation, comprising stimulating the host defense mechanisms in a mammal having such a disease by oromucosally administering IL-2 or IL-15 in an effective amount that is great enough to generate a pathological response if administered parenterally, wherein said oromucosal administration is accomplished in a manner that provides contact of the cytokine with the oromucosal cavity of the recipient for a period of time sufficient to obtain the desired stimulation.

A method for treating diseases that would benefit from TH2 stimulation, comprising stimulating the host defense mechanisms in a patient having such a disease by oromucosally administering an effective amount of a TH2-stimulating cytokine selected from the group consisting of IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13, wherein said oromucosal administration is accomplished in a manner that provides contact of the cytokine with the oromucosal cavity of the recipient for a period of time sufficient to obtain the desired stimulation.

A method for treating diseases that would benefit from TH2 stimulation, comprising stimulating the host defense mechanism in a patient having such a disease by oromucosally administering IL-10 in an effective amount that is great enough to generate a pathological response if administered parenterally, wherein said oromucosal administration is accomplished in a manner that provides contact of the cytokine with the oromucosal cavity of the recipient for a period of time sufficient to obtain the desired stimulation.