Disclosed herein are antisense compounds and methods for decreasing CD40. Examples of disease conditions that can be ameliorated with the administration of antisense compounds targeted to CD40 include hyperproliferative disorders, graft versus host disease (GVHD), graft rejection, asthma, airway hyperresponsiveness, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), multiple sclerosis (MS), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and certain forms of arthritis.