Combination therapy of thymalfasin (thymosin-alpha 1) and peginterferon alfa-2a in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection who are non-responders to standard treatment

The worldwide spread of hepatitis C virus is enormous; chronic hepatitis C virus infection is a leading cause of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. While treatment options have improved substantially over the last decade, responses are still disappointing, particularly in certain difficult-to-treat groups such as patients who are immunosuppressed or have decompensated disease. Preliminary studies have indicated that combined treatment strategies may provide effective approaches for the future. The combination of thymalfasin with pegylated interferon is currently a promising option for the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection. An ongoing phase 3 study in the USA should provide much needed data to improve the outcome for these patients. (C) 2004 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.