Comparison of the efficacy of thymosin alpha-1 and interferon alpha in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B: a meta-analysis.

Yang YF, Zhao W, Zhong YD, Yang YJ, Shen L, Zhang N, Huang P

Antiviral research26 Nov 2007Cited by 24 (Europe PMC)

PMID18078676DOI10.1016/j.antiviral.2007.10.014PepBankPUB-18078676

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 study6

6 results from studies that gave the peptide. 6 results from people.

01HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome
In a meta-analysis of patients with chronic hepatitis B, thymosin alpha‑1 and interferon alpha did not differ significantly in virological response at the end of 6 months of treatment (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.35 to 1.10).
In plain wordsIn people with chronic hepatitis B, thymosin alpha‑1 and interferon alpha gave similar virological response rates at the end of 6 months of treatment.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
No significant changeVirological response at end of treatment
Study
n = 199
Comparator
Interferon alpha
Outcome group
Antiviral activity · Liver
Studied dose
Dose not stated · 6 monthsAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
OR virological response
0.62 ratio
end of treatment
Source sentences
Summary
The ORs (95% confidence interval) of the virological response, biochemical response and complete response of Talpha1 over IFNalpha at the end of 6 months treatment were 0.62 (0.35, 1.10), 0.60 (0.34, 1.05) and 0.54 (0.30, 0.97), respectively.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Generally, four randomized controlled trials including 199 CHB patients who received Talpha1 or IFNalpha treatment were identified through MEDLINE and EMBASE online search.
Report a problemFND-1807867601
02HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome
In a meta-analysis of patients with chronic hepatitis B, thymosin alpha‑1 and interferon alpha did not differ significantly in biochemical response at the end of 6 months of treatment (OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.34 to 1.05).
In plain wordsIn people with chronic hepatitis B, thymosin alpha‑1 and interferon alpha gave similar biochemical response rates at the end of 6 months of treatment.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
No significant changeBiochemical response at end of treatment
Study
n = 199
Comparator
Interferon alpha
Outcome group
Antiviral activity · Liver
Studied dose
Dose not stated · 6 monthsAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
OR biochemical response
0.6 ratio
end of treatment
Source sentences
Summary
The ORs (95% confidence interval) of the virological response, biochemical response and complete response of Talpha1 over IFNalpha at the end of 6 months treatment were 0.62 (0.35, 1.10), 0.60 (0.34, 1.05) and 0.54 (0.30, 0.97), respectively.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Generally, four randomized controlled trials including 199 CHB patients who received Talpha1 or IFNalpha treatment were identified through MEDLINE and EMBASE online search.
Report a problemFND-1807867602
03HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome
In a meta-analysis of patients with chronic hepatitis B, thymosin alpha‑1 gave a significantly lower complete response rate than interferon alpha at the end of 6 months of treatment (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.30 to 0.97).
In plain wordsIn people with chronic hepatitis B, thymosin alpha‑1 gave fewer complete responses than interferon alpha at the end of 6 months of treatment.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
DecreaseComplete response at end of treatment
Study
n = 199
Comparator
Interferon alpha
Outcome group
Antiviral activity · Liver
Studied dose
Dose not stated · 6 monthsAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
OR complete response
0.54 ratio
end of treatment
Source sentences
Summary
The ORs (95% confidence interval) of the virological response, biochemical response and complete response of Talpha1 over IFNalpha at the end of 6 months treatment were 0.62 (0.35, 1.10), 0.60 (0.34, 1.05) and 0.54 (0.30, 0.97), respectively.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Generally, four randomized controlled trials including 199 CHB patients who received Talpha1 or IFNalpha treatment were identified through MEDLINE and EMBASE online search.
Report a problemFND-1807867603
04HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome
In a meta-analysis of patients with chronic hepatitis B, thymosin alpha‑1 gave a higher virological response rate than interferon alpha 6 months after treatment ended (OR 3.71, 95% CI 2.05 to 6.71).
In plain wordsIn people with chronic hepatitis B, thymosin alpha‑1 gave more virological responses than interferon alpha 6 months after treatment ended.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
IncreaseVirological response at end of follow-up
Study
n = 199
Comparator
Interferon alpha
Outcome group
Antiviral activity · Liver
Studied dose
Dose not stated · 6 monthsAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
OR virological response
3.71 ratio
end of follow-up
Source sentences
Summary
The ORs (95% confidence interval) of the virological response, biochemical response and complete response of Talpha1 over IFNalpha at the end of follow-up (6 months post-treatment) were 3.71 (2.05, 6.71), 3.12 (1.74, 5.62) and 2.69 (1.47, 4.91), respectively.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Generally, four randomized controlled trials including 199 CHB patients who received Talpha1 or IFNalpha treatment were identified through MEDLINE and EMBASE online search.
Report a problemFND-1807867604
05HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome
In a meta-analysis of patients with chronic hepatitis B, thymosin alpha‑1 gave a higher biochemical response rate than interferon alpha 6 months after treatment ended (OR 3.12, 95% CI 1.74 to 5.62).
In plain wordsIn people with chronic hepatitis B, thymosin alpha‑1 gave more biochemical responses than interferon alpha 6 months after treatment ended.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
IncreaseBiochemical response at end of follow-up
Study
n = 199
Comparator
Interferon alpha
Outcome group
Antiviral activity · Liver
Studied dose
Dose not stated · 6 monthsAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
OR biochemical response
3.12 ratio
end of follow-up
Source sentences
Summary
The ORs (95% confidence interval) of the virological response, biochemical response and complete response of Talpha1 over IFNalpha at the end of follow-up (6 months post-treatment) were 3.71 (2.05, 6.71), 3.12 (1.74, 5.62) and 2.69 (1.47, 4.91), respectively.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Generally, four randomized controlled trials including 199 CHB patients who received Talpha1 or IFNalpha treatment were identified through MEDLINE and EMBASE online search.
Report a problemFND-1807867605
06HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome
In a meta-analysis of patients with chronic hepatitis B, thymosin alpha‑1 gave a higher complete response rate than interferon alpha 6 months after treatment ended (OR 2.69, 95% CI 1.47 to 4.91).
In plain wordsIn people with chronic hepatitis B, thymosin alpha‑1 gave more complete responses than interferon alpha 6 months after treatment ended.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
IncreaseComplete response at end of follow-up
Study
n = 199
Comparator
Interferon alpha
Outcome group
Antiviral activity · Liver
Studied dose
Dose not stated · 6 monthsAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
OR complete response
2.69 ratio
end of follow-up
Source sentences
Summary
The ORs (95% confidence interval) of the virological response, biochemical response and complete response of Talpha1 over IFNalpha at the end of follow-up (6 months post-treatment) were 3.71 (2.05, 6.71), 3.12 (1.74, 5.62) and 2.69 (1.47, 4.91), respectively.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Generally, four randomized controlled trials including 199 CHB patients who received Talpha1 or IFNalpha treatment were identified through MEDLINE and EMBASE online search.
Report a problemFND-1807867606

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
9 Oct 2026, 18:17 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.