Thymosin treatment of chronic hepatitis B: a placebo-controlled pilot trial.

Mutchnick MG, Appelman HD, Chung HT, Aragona E, Gupta TP, Cummings GD, Waggoner JG, Hoofnagle JH, Shafritz DA

Hepatology (Baltimore, Md.)1 Sept 1991Cited by 94 (Europe PMC)

PMID1874487DOI10.1002/hep.1840140302PepBankPUB-01874487

Publisher page PubMedAsk about this study

Summary

The text of this summary is not shown here, because the article license does not allow reuse. Read it at the source (opens in a new tab)

Text rights: Publisher copyright. Results still quote short attributed sentences.

Results from this study9

No result from this study comes from a test of the peptide.

Studies that did not test the peptide alone9

In this study, Thymosin alpha-1 was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. These results are not evidence about taking Thymosin alpha-1.

01HumanNot a test of Thymosin alpha-1 aloneRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In patients with chronic hepatitis B, thymosin fraction 5 or thymosin alpha‑1 (pooled) improved serum aminotransferase levels significantly, while placebo did not.
In plain wordsIn people with chronic hepatitis B, thymosin treatment (fraction 5 or alpha 1 pooled) improved liver enzyme levels, unlike placebo.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
DecreaseSerum aminotransferase levels
Study
n = 12
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Liver fat and liver function · Liver
Source sentences
Summary
By the conclusion of the study (1 yr), serum aminotransferase levels had improved significantly in thymosin-treated patients, but not in the placebo group.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We assessed the safety and efficacy of thymosin fraction 5 and thymosin-alpha 1 in a prospective, placebo-controlled trial in 12 patients with chronic hepatitis B.
Summary · context
Seven patients received thymosin fraction 5 or thymosin-alpha 1 and five patients received placebo twice weekly for 6 mo.
In this study, Thymosin alpha-1 was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Thymosin alpha-1.
Report a problemFND-0187448701
02HumanNot a test of Thymosin alpha-1 aloneRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In patients with chronic hepatitis B, more patients treated with thymosin fraction 5 or thymosin alpha‑1 (pooled) cleared hepatitis B virus DNA from serum than patients given placebo.
In plain wordsIn people with chronic hepatitis B, more patients on thymosin (fraction 5 or alpha 1 pooled) cleared virus DNA from blood than on placebo.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
IncreaseSerum hepatitis B virus DNA clearance
Study
n = 12
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Antiviral activity · Infection
Measurements
Patients clearing HBV DNA
86%
thymosin-treated
Patients clearing HBV DNA
20%
placebo
Source sentences
Summary
Six (86%) of the thymosin treated patients and one (20%) patient given placebo cleared hepatitis B virus DNA from serum (p less than 0.04, Fisher's exact test).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We assessed the safety and efficacy of thymosin fraction 5 and thymosin-alpha 1 in a prospective, placebo-controlled trial in 12 patients with chronic hepatitis B.
Summary · context
Seven patients received thymosin fraction 5 or thymosin-alpha 1 and five patients received placebo twice weekly for 6 mo.
In this study, Thymosin alpha-1 was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Thymosin alpha-1.
Report a problemFND-0187448702
03HumanNot a test of Thymosin alpha-1 aloneRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In patients with chronic hepatitis B, replicative forms of hepatitis B virus DNA in liver specimens were present in fewer thymosin-treated patients (fraction 5 or alpha 1 pooled) than placebo-treated patients after treatment.
In plain wordsIn people with chronic hepatitis B, fewer thymosin-treated patients (fraction 5 or alpha 1 pooled) still had replicating virus in the liver than placebo patients.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
DecreaseReplicative forms of hepatitis B virus DNA in liver
Study
n = 12
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Antiviral activity · Infection
Source sentences
Summary
After treatment, replicative forms of hepatitis B virus DNA were present in the liver specimens of four of five placebo-treated patients but in only one of seven thymosin-treated patients (p less than 0.04, Fisher's exact test).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We assessed the safety and efficacy of thymosin fraction 5 and thymosin-alpha 1 in a prospective, placebo-controlled trial in 12 patients with chronic hepatitis B.
Summary · context
Seven patients received thymosin fraction 5 or thymosin-alpha 1 and five patients received placebo twice weekly for 6 mo.
In this study, Thymosin alpha-1 was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Thymosin alpha-1.
Report a problemFND-0187448703
04HumanNot a test of Thymosin alpha-1 aloneRandomized controlled trialSafety outcome
In patients with chronic hepatitis B, no significant side effects were observed with thymosin fraction 5 or thymosin alpha‑1 (pooled) or with placebo.
In plain wordsIn people with chronic hepatitis B, thymosin treatment (fraction 5 or alpha 1 pooled) and placebo both caused no significant side effects.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
No significant changeSide effects
Study
n = 12
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Adverse events · Whole body
Source sentences
Summary
No significant side effects were observed in patients given thymosin or in placebo-treated patients.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We assessed the safety and efficacy of thymosin fraction 5 and thymosin-alpha 1 in a prospective, placebo-controlled trial in 12 patients with chronic hepatitis B.
Summary · context
Seven patients received thymosin fraction 5 or thymosin-alpha 1 and five patients received placebo twice weekly for 6 mo.
In this study, Thymosin alpha-1 was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Thymosin alpha-1.
Report a problemFND-0187448708
05HumanNot a test of Thymosin alpha-1 aloneRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In patients with chronic hepatitis B who responded to thymosin therapy (fraction 5 or alpha 1 pooled), peripheral blood lymphocyte counts improved significantly over initial values.
In plain wordsIn people with chronic hepatitis B who responded to thymosin treatment, blood lymphocyte counts rose compared with their starting values.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
IncreasePeripheral blood lymphocyte count
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Initial values
Outcome group
Immune response · Immune and inflammation
Source sentences
Summary
Response to thymosin therapy was associated with significant improvements in peripheral blood lymphocyte and CD3 and CD4 counts and in in vitro production of interferon-gamma over initial values.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We assessed the safety and efficacy of thymosin fraction 5 and thymosin-alpha 1 in a prospective, placebo-controlled trial in 12 patients with chronic hepatitis B.
Summary · context
Seven patients received thymosin fraction 5 or thymosin-alpha 1 and five patients received placebo twice weekly for 6 mo.
In this study, Thymosin alpha-1 was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Thymosin alpha-1.
Report a problemFND-0187448704
06HumanNot a test of Thymosin alpha-1 aloneRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In patients with chronic hepatitis B who responded to thymosin therapy (fraction 5 or alpha 1 pooled), CD3 counts improved significantly over initial values.
In plain wordsIn people with chronic hepatitis B who responded to thymosin treatment, CD3 cell counts rose compared with their starting values.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
IncreaseCD3 count
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Initial values
Outcome group
Immune response · Immune and inflammation
Source sentences
Summary
Response to thymosin therapy was associated with significant improvements in peripheral blood lymphocyte and CD3 and CD4 counts and in in vitro production of interferon-gamma over initial values.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We assessed the safety and efficacy of thymosin fraction 5 and thymosin-alpha 1 in a prospective, placebo-controlled trial in 12 patients with chronic hepatitis B.
Summary · context
Seven patients received thymosin fraction 5 or thymosin-alpha 1 and five patients received placebo twice weekly for 6 mo.
In this study, Thymosin alpha-1 was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Thymosin alpha-1.
Report a problemFND-0187448705
07HumanNot a test of Thymosin alpha-1 aloneRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In patients with chronic hepatitis B who responded to thymosin therapy (fraction 5 or alpha 1 pooled), CD4 counts improved significantly over initial values.
In plain wordsIn people with chronic hepatitis B who responded to thymosin treatment, CD4 cell counts rose compared with their starting values.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
IncreaseCD4 count
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Initial values
Outcome group
Immune response · Immune and inflammation
Source sentences
Summary
Response to thymosin therapy was associated with significant improvements in peripheral blood lymphocyte and CD3 and CD4 counts and in in vitro production of interferon-gamma over initial values.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We assessed the safety and efficacy of thymosin fraction 5 and thymosin-alpha 1 in a prospective, placebo-controlled trial in 12 patients with chronic hepatitis B.
Summary · context
Seven patients received thymosin fraction 5 or thymosin-alpha 1 and five patients received placebo twice weekly for 6 mo.
In this study, Thymosin alpha-1 was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Thymosin alpha-1.
Report a problemFND-0187448706
08HumanNot a test of Thymosin alpha-1 aloneRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In patients with chronic hepatitis B who responded to thymosin therapy (fraction 5 or alpha 1 pooled), in vitro production of interferon-gamma improved significantly over initial values.
In plain wordsIn people with chronic hepatitis B who responded to thymosin treatment, lab-measured interferon-gamma production rose compared with their starting values.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
IncreaseIn vitro interferon-gamma production
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Initial values
Outcome group
Immune response · Immune and inflammation
Source sentences
Summary
Response to thymosin therapy was associated with significant improvements in peripheral blood lymphocyte and CD3 and CD4 counts and in in vitro production of interferon-gamma over initial values.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We assessed the safety and efficacy of thymosin fraction 5 and thymosin-alpha 1 in a prospective, placebo-controlled trial in 12 patients with chronic hepatitis B.
Summary · context
Seven patients received thymosin fraction 5 or thymosin-alpha 1 and five patients received placebo twice weekly for 6 mo.
In this study, Thymosin alpha-1 was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Thymosin alpha-1.
Report a problemFND-0187448707
09HumanNot a test of Thymosin alpha-1 aloneRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In patients with chronic hepatitis B who responded to thymosin therapy (fraction 5 or alpha 1 pooled), clinical, biochemical and serological improvement was sustained during follow-up.
In plain wordsIn people with chronic hepatitis B who responded to thymosin treatment, improvements lasted through follow-up.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
Not applicableDurability of clinical, biochemical and serological improvement
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Antiviral activity · Infection
Source sentences
Summary
Clinical, biochemical and serological improvement in patients responding to thymosin were sustained during 26 +/- 3 mo of follow-up.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We assessed the safety and efficacy of thymosin fraction 5 and thymosin-alpha 1 in a prospective, placebo-controlled trial in 12 patients with chronic hepatitis B.
Summary · context
Seven patients received thymosin fraction 5 or thymosin-alpha 1 and five patients received placebo twice weekly for 6 mo.
In this study, Thymosin alpha-1 was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Thymosin alpha-1.
Report a problemFND-0187448709

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Version 3Current
10 Oct 2026, 08:55 UTC
Study results updated
Version 2
9 Oct 2026, 03:03 UTC
Study data updated · source update from Europe PMC
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 03:02 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

PepBank is a research reference. Talk to a doctor before you use any peptide.