A method employing a composition comprising a 2 to 10 base synthetic oligonucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of (GG)n, (GT)n, a(GT)nb, a(GA)nb, and a(GC)nb, wherein n is an integer between 1 and 3, and a and b are independently either none or one or more As, Cs, Gs, or Ts, or combinations thereof, for modulation of Fas and FasL expression or for modulation of the efficacy of therapeutic agents. The composition is administered to an animal or human with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and optionally with a therapeutic agent, in an amount effective to modulate Fas and FasL expression, to treat the disease, or to modulate efficacy of the therapeutic agent.