Document Detail


Thymosin alpha in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B: an uncontrolled open-label trial.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  11990327     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
BACKGROUND: Interferon treatment for chronic hepatitis B has low efficacy and is associated with serious side effects. It is therefore important to assess the role of other drugs in the treatment of this condition. AIMS: To assess the efficacy and safety of thymosin alpha in 20 patients with hepatitis B-related liver disease. METHODS: Patients with chronic hepatitis B, HBV DNA positivity, ALT more than 1.5 times the upper limit of normal and liver biopsy showing chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis were treated with thymosin alpha 1.6 mg subcutaneously twice a week for 6 months. Biochemical and serological markers were assessed pre-treatment, immediately post treatment, and 6 months and 1 year after end of treatment. RESULTS: Of 20 patients, 15 had chronic hepatitis and 5 had cirrhosis on histology; 17 were HBeAg-positive and 3 were HBeAg-negative. Eight patients were interferon non-responders and 12 were naïve patients. Four patients had end-of-treatment response and two additional patients had a delayed response within 6 months of treatment; one responder had a relapse within 1 year of treatment. Overall sustained response rate was 25% (5 of 20). No patient cleared HBsAg. Reduction in ALT levels was observed after treatment and persisted one year later. No significant side effects were observed. CONCLUSION: Thymosin alpha is a safe and effective alternative treatment modality in chronic hepatitis B.
Authors:
Deepak Amarapurkar; Haribhakti Seba Das
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Clinical Trial; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Indian journal of gastroenterology : official journal of the Indian Society of Gastroenterology     Volume:  21     ISSN:  0254-8860     ISO Abbreviation:  Indian J Gastroenterol     Publication Date:    2002 Mar-Apr
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2002-05-06     Completed Date:  2002-05-23     Revised Date:  2006-11-15    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  8409436     Medline TA:  Indian J Gastroenterol     Country:  India    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  59-61     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Bombay Hospital and Research Center, Mumbai.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adjuvants, Immunologic / therapeutic use*
Adult
Child
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Hepatitis B, Chronic / drug therapy*
Humans
Male
Prospective Studies
Thymosin / analogs & derivatives*,  therapeutic use*
Time Factors
Treatment Outcome
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Adjuvants, Immunologic; 0/thymalfasin; 61512-21-8/Thymosin

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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