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Treatment with thymic extract TFX for chronic active hepatitis B
D Dworniak1, H Tchórzewski, L Pokoca
1Clinic of Infectious Disease, Military Medical Academy, Lódź.
Insights
Thymic factor X (TFX) treatment improved immune balance in chronic active hepatitis B (CAHB) patients. TFX therapy led to normalized immune markers, HBe seroconversion, and sustained clinical remission.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Hepatology
- Virology
Background:
- Chronic active hepatitis B (CAHB) is characterized by immune dysregulation, including a lowered CD4+/CD8+ cell ratio.
- Patients with CAHB often exhibit impaired immune responses, contributing to disease persistence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of thymic factor X (TFX) in modulating immune parameters and clinical outcomes in patients with CAHB.
- To assess the impact of TFX on CD4+/CD8+ cell ratios, NK cell activity, and seroconversion rates in CAHB.
Main Methods:
- Eighteen patients with biopsy-proven CAHB and a low CD4+/CD8+ ratio were treated with TFX for 6 or 12 months.
- Changes in CD4+/CD8+ cell numbers, NK cell counts and activity, and biochemical/immunological markers were monitored.
- HBe seroconversion and long-term clinical remission were assessed.
Main Results:
- TFX treatment rapidly lowered CD8+ cell counts and increased the CD4+/CD8+ ratio within 14 days.
- NK cell activity was enhanced, and biochemical/immunological parameters normalized after 5-6 months.
- HBe seroconversion occurred in 9-12 months, with sustained clinical remission and normal findings at two years.
Conclusions:
- TFX demonstrates significant immunostimulatory effects in CAHB patients.
- TFX therapy offers beneficial outcomes, including immune normalization and sustained remission, for chronic active hepatitis B.
- TFX represents a promising therapeutic agent for managing chronic active hepatitis B.
Abstract:
Eighteen patients with biopsy-proven chronic active hepatitis B (CAHB) and a significantly lowered CD4+/CD8+ cell number ratio were treated with thymic factor X (TFX): group I (n = 12) - for 12 months, group II (n = 6) for 6 months. As early as 14 days after starting the treatment a lowering of CD8+ cell numbers with a rise in CD4+/CD8+ cell number ratio were found. These changes continued to progress during the next months and were accompanied by decreased in NK cell numbers with enhancement of NK cell activity. Normalization of the biochemical and immunological parameters occurred after 5-6 months of the treatment. In both groups of patients seroconversion in the HBe system was observed after 9-12 months of the treatment. After two years complete clinical remission persists with normal biochemical and immunological findings and without reversion in the HBe system. The results seem to indicate that TFX has an immunostimulatory action and exerts beneficial effects on the course of CAHB.