Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 12, 2026

A Competent Hepatocyte Model Examining Hepatitis B Virus Entry through Sodium Taurocholate Cotransporting Polypeptide as a Therapeutic Target
Published on: May 10, 2022
Thymalfasin in the treatment of hepatitis B and C
1AOU San Giovanni Battista di Torino, Università degli Studi di Torino, School of Medicine, Torino, Italy. aciancio3@molinette.piemonte.it
Abstract:
Thymalfasin exhibited an immunomodulatory and a direct antiviral mechanism of action. The low rate of sustained response of chronic hepatitis with current therapies, underscores the need for new therapeutic options. It has been suggested that thymalfasin may have efficacy in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B and C. Pilots studies in patients with chronic hepatitis B treated with thymalfasin in combination with interferon or nucleoside analogue, showed a 70% complete sustained response rate. Studies in chronic hepatitis C patients, would indicate that thymalfasin in combination with standard or pegylated interferon with ribavirin may improve response rate in hepatitis C virus (HCV) naïve and nonresponder patients. However, a large phase-III randomized study conducted in Europe in HCV patients nonresponder to Peg-interferon with ribavirin, demonstrated that thymalfasin did not improve the rate of sustained virologic responses, but, in patients who completed therapy, thymalfasin significantly diminished the relapse rate. In conclusion, thymalfasin, in combination with the standard of care, may be helpful as an adjuvant in the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis B and C.
Related Concept Videos
Hepatitis
Viral Hepatitis I: Introduction
Inhibitors of Viral Protein Synthesis
Diseases of the Liver and Gallbladder
Cirrhosis is characterized by the scarring of hepatic lobules in the liver, which are replaced by fibrous tissue, affecting the liver's normal functioning. NAFLD, on the other hand, is caused by an excessive build-up of fat in the liver, not related to...
Cystic Fibrosis: Management
Sinus disease and chronic sinusitis...

