Thymosin-alpha1 and famciclovir combination therapy activates T-cell response in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection in immune-tolerant phase.

Lau GK, Nanji A, Hou J, Fong DY, Au WS, Yuen ST, Lin M, Kung HF, Lam SK

Journal of viral hepatitis1 Jul 2002Cited by 25 (Europe PMC)

PMID12081605DOI10.1046/j.1365-2893.2002.00361.xPepBankPUB-12081605

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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 study4

1 result from studies that gave the peptide. 1 result from people.

01HumanNon-randomized trialEfficacy outcome
In immune-tolerant adults with chronic hepatitis B, thymosin alpha1 plus famciclovir lowered serum HBV-DNA more than famciclovir alone by week 26.
In plain wordsIn people with chronic hepatitis B, adding thymosin alpha1 to famciclovir lowered virus levels more than famciclovir alone.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
DecreaseMedian serum HBV-DNA reduction by week 26
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Famciclovir monotherapy
Outcome group
Antiviral activity · Infection
Studied dose
Dose not stated · 26 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Median HBV-DNA reduction
0.94 log10 copies/mL
thymosin alpha1 plus famciclovir
Median HBV-DNA reduction
0.7 log10 copies/mL
famciclovir alone
Source sentences
Summary
By week 26, the median reduction in group 1 (0.94 log10 copies/mL) was greater than group 2 (0.70 log10 copies/mL, P < 0.001).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We studied 32 hepatitis B e antigen positive patients in the immune-tolerant phase of infection, treated with 26-weeks combination therapy of famciclovir and thymosin-alpha1 (group 1).
Summary · context
Thirty-two patients who received 26-weeks famciclovir monotherapy (group 2) and another 32 patients who received no treatment (group 3), served as controls.
Report a problemFND-1208160501

Studies that did not test the peptide alone3

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.

02HumanNot a test of Thymosin alpha-1 aloneNon-randomized trialSafety outcome
In immune-tolerant adults with chronic hepatitis B, adverse events did not differ among thymosin alpha1 plus famciclovir, famciclovir alone and no treatment.
In plain wordsIn people with chronic hepatitis B, side effects were similar with thymosin alpha1 plus famciclovir, famciclovir alone, or no treatment.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
No significant changeAdverse events across groups
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Famciclovir monotherapy; no treatment
Outcome group
Adverse events · Whole body
Source sentences
Summary
No significant difference in adverse events were observed among the three groups.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We studied 32 hepatitis B e antigen positive patients in the immune-tolerant phase of infection, treated with 26-weeks combination therapy of famciclovir and thymosin-alpha1 (group 1).
Summary · context
Thirty-two patients who received 26-weeks famciclovir monotherapy (group 2) and another 32 patients who received no treatment (group 3), served as controls.
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-1208160502
03HumanNot a test of Thymosin alpha-1 aloneNon-randomized trialEfficacy outcome
In immune-tolerant adults with chronic hepatitis B, hepatitis B e antigen seroconversion occurred in five patients on thymosin alpha1 plus famciclovir and in none of the two control groups, not significant (P = 0.053).
In plain wordsIn people with chronic hepatitis B, five on thymosin alpha1 plus famciclovir cleared the e antigen, none in controls; not significant.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
No significant changeHBeAg seroconversion at 52 weeks
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Famciclovir monotherapy and no treatment (pooled)
Outcome group
Antiviral activity · Infection
Measurements
HBeAg seroconversion
15.6%
thymosin alpha1 plus famciclovir, week 52
Source sentences
Summary
Five (15.6%) patients in group 1 at 52 weeks (median range 13-78 weeks) and none in group 2 or 3 experienced hepatitis B e antigen seroconversion (P = 0.053).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We studied 32 hepatitis B e antigen positive patients in the immune-tolerant phase of infection, treated with 26-weeks combination therapy of famciclovir and thymosin-alpha1 (group 1).
Summary · context
Thirty-two patients who received 26-weeks famciclovir monotherapy (group 2) and another 32 patients who received no treatment (group 3), served as controls.
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-1208160503
04HumanNot a test of Thymosin alpha-1 aloneNon-randomized trialMechanism
In immune-tolerant adults with chronic hepatitis B given thymosin alpha1 plus famciclovir, sustained HBeAg clearance was associated with activation of HBV-specific CD4 T-cell reactivity of T-helper 1 type.
In plain wordsIn people with chronic hepatitis B given thymosin alpha1 plus famciclovir, lasting e antigen clearance was linked to activation of HBV-specific T cells.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
Not applicableHBV-specific T-cell reactivity with HBeAg clearance
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Immune response · Immune and inflammation
Source sentences
Summary
Sustained serological clearance of hepatitis B e antigen was associated with activation of CD4 positive HBV-specific T-cell reactivity and were of T-helper 1.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We studied 32 hepatitis B e antigen positive patients in the immune-tolerant phase of infection, treated with 26-weeks combination therapy of famciclovir and thymosin-alpha1 (group 1).
Summary · context
Thirty-two patients who received 26-weeks famciclovir monotherapy (group 2) and another 32 patients who received no treatment (group 3), served as controls.
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-1208160504

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

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Thymosin-alpha1 and famciclovir combination therapy activates T-cell response in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection in immune-tolerant phase.

Summary

Results from this study4

Studies that did not test the peptide alone3

Version history

Subjects

Publication types

MeSH terms