Methods and compositions for treating an infection or disease that results from (1) failure to elicit rapid T cell mediated responses, (2) induction of T cell exhaustion, T cell anergy or both, or (3) failure to activate monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells and/or other APCs, for example, as required to kill intracellular pathogens. The method and compositions solve the problem of undesired T cell inhibition by simultaneously inhibiting the PD-1 ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2. The immune response can be modulated by providing antagonists which bind with different affinity, by varying the dosage of agent which is administered, by intermittent dosing over a regime, and combinations thereof, that provides for dissociation of agent from the molecule to which it is bound prior to being administered again. In some cases it may be particularly desirable to stimulate the immune system, then remove the stimulation.
