Thymalfasin: clinical pharmacology and antiviral applications.

BioDrugs : clinical immunotherapeutics, biopharmaceuticals and gene therapy1998PMID: 18020580

Plain Language Summary

Thymalfasin (thymosin alpha-1) is an immunomodulatory agent that enhances T cell function, particularly promoting the Th1 immune responses important for fighting viruses. Its most promising clinical uses are as a standalone treatment for chronic hepatitis B and in combination with interferon-alpha for both chronic hepatitis B and C.

Abstract

Thymalfasin (thymosin-alpha1) is an immunomodulatory agent that is able to augment some specific T lymphocyte functions, particularly that of promoting the T helper 1 cell responses involved in host antiviral defence. The most promising clinical applications for thymalfasin seem to be as a single agent for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B and in combination with interferon-alpha for the treatment of both chronic hepatitis B and C. These positive preliminary results offer a strong rationale for larger, well-planned clinical trials and also for defining the optimal schedule of administration.

Authors

Gramenzi, A; Cursaro, C; Andreone, P; Bernardi, M