Thymosin alpha 1 for treatment of hepatitis C virus: promise and proof.
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a global public health problem, with chronic infection leading to development of cirrhosis, end-stage liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Treatment of HCV is suboptimal with overall response rates of slightly greater than 50% when patients are treated with pegylated interferon alfa and ribavirin. Thymosin alpha 1 (Talpha1; TA-1) is an immunomodulatory peptide with intrinsic activities that might improve treatment outcomes for HCV by incorporation of this agent in current treatment paradigms. An extensive body of literature supports a possible role for this agent in difficult to treat populations. However, clinical trials to date have failed to conclusively support the role of TA-1 in combination interferon-based therapies. Therefore, the promise of TA-1 adjunctive therapy for HCV remains, but the proof will require investment in large randomized clinical trials of appropriate patient populations.
University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. Kenneth.sherman@uc.edu
Kenneth E
KE
Sherman
D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000188:drug therapy; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000235:genetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077596:Thymalfasin; D013947:Thymosin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D012254:Ribavirin; D013947:Thymosin; D007372:Interferons; D000077596:Thymalfasin