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 trans gene product, thus
allowing persistent trans gene 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.