Evaluation of efficacy and safety of thymus humoral factor-gamma 2 in the management of chronic hepatitis B.

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS:

We investigated the antiviral and immunomodulatory effects of a combination treatment using thymus humoral factor-gamma 2 and alpha-interferon in patients with chronic hepatitis B in whom previous monotherapy with interferon had failed.

METHODS:

Nine HBeAg and HBV-DNA seropositive patients received thymus humoral factor-gamma 2 alone for 2 months, thymus humoral factor-gamma 2 plus alpha-interferon for 2 months and finally alpha-interferon alone for 2 months.

RESULTS:

Treatment with thymus humoral factor-gamma 2 alone was not associated with any side effects. The interferon-induced lymphopenia was significantly less marked during the combined therapy in comparison to the previous course with interferon alone (mean reduction of lymphocyte counts 33.5 +/- 11.6% versus 56.3 +/- 16.7%, respectively, p < 0.05). The combination of thymus humoral factor-gamma 2 plus interferon showed a significantly more profound inhibition of serum HBV-DNA (mean reduction from the pretreatment level 90.6 +/- 13.3%) compared to the earlier monotherapy with interferon in the same patients (mean reduction 55.5 +/- 34.7%, p < 0.01). As a result of the combined thymus humoral factor-gamma 2 plus alpha-interferon regimen three out of nine patients became HBV-DNA negative and seroconverted to anti-HBe. Thymus humoral factor-gamma 2 appears to exert mainly a functional effect on T lymphocytes, as interleukin-2 production was increased in the majority of treated patients, whilst the expression of lymphocyte activation markers remained unchanged.

CONCLUSIONS:

These data suggest that thymus humoral factor-gamma 2 may be useful in a combined therapeutic approach in chronic HBV carriers.

• Authors: B A Farhat, G Marinos, H M Daniels, N V Naoumov, R Williams
• Journal: Journal of hepatology (J Hepatol) Vol. 23 Issue 1 Pg. 21-7 (Jul 1995) ISSN: 0168-8278 [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 8530805 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Cytokines
• DNA, Viral
• Drug Combinations
• Interferon-alpha
• Oligopeptides
• Thymus Hormones
• thymic humoral factor gamma 2

Topics

• Adult
• Chronic Disease
• Cytokines (metabolism)
• DNA, Viral (analysis, genetics)
• Drug Combinations
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Female
• Hepatitis B (drug therapy, metabolism, pathology)
• Hepatitis B virus (genetics)
• Humans
• Interferon-alpha (therapeutic use)
• Lymphocytes (pathology)
• Male
• Oligopeptides (therapeutic use)
• Thymus Hormones (therapeutic use)
• Time Factors