The present invention makes it possible to enhance steroid efficacy in a steroid refractory patient afflicted with an inflammatory condition not responding or responding poorly or inadequately to anti-inflammatory treatment, by administering an effective amount of an oligonucleotide having the sequence 5′-Xm-TTCGT-Yn-3′ to 5 said patient, wherein X is A, T, C or G, Y is A, T, C or G, m=0-7, n=0-7 and wherein at least one CG dinucleotide is unmethylated. The invention also encompasses the use of said oligonucleotide for the manufacture of pharmaceuticals.