title: Thymalfasin (thymosin-alpha 1) therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B.
abstract: Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a serious clinical problem because of its worldwide distribution and potential adverse sequelae. Globally, there are approximately 350 million people infected with chronic HBV, 75% of whom live in the Asia-Pacific region. Interferon-alfa and direct antiviral agents such as lamivudine and adefovir are effective in the therapy of chronic HBV infection but the efficacy is far from satisfactory, particularly in perinatally infected patients, patients with lower ALT levels and those with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B. Thymalfasin (thymosin-alpha1) is an immunoregulatory agent able to enhance Th1 response. It has been shown to trigger maturational events in lymphocytes, to augment T-cell function, and to promote reconstitution of immune defects. Studies are underway in both monotherapy and combination therapy with thymalfasin and interferon and results are promising.
authors.affiliation: Liver Research Unit, Chang Gung University and Memorial Hospital, 199, Tung Hwa North Road, Taipei, Taiwan. liveryfl@so-net.net.tw
authors.forename: Yun-Fan
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Liaw
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000187:drug effects; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D000077596:Thymalfasin; D013947:Thymosin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D013947:Thymosin; D000077596:Thymalfasin