Disclosed are methods for transient co-administration of rapamycin together
with a gene therapy vector encoding a transgene. The present invention is directed
to inhibiting the immune response of a host to the administered gene therapy vector
and encoded transgene product, thus allowing persistent transgene expression and
repeated administration of the gene therapy product to the host. The present invention
is also of relevance in genetic disease patients that mount immune responses to
protein replacement therapies in which case the present invention provides for
transient co-administration of rapamycin together with protein replacement therapy.
In a further aspect of the invention, co-administration of rapamycin could inhibit
a secondary immune response in a host that has been pre-immunized with the gene
therapy vector or pre-immunized with the protein product encoded by the transgene.