This review covers alternative hepatitis C treatments beyond standard interferon therapy. Iron reduction alone improved liver enzymes but not viral clearance; however, combined with interferon it improved sustained response rates from 5% to 29% in one trial. Among immunomodulators studied, thymosin alpha-1 was identified as one of the most promising. N-acetyl cysteine showed some benefit via oxidative stress reduction. The author predicts future HCV therapy will include multidrug combinations, protease and polymerase inhibitors, and measures to reduce oxidative injury.
Bonkovsky, H L