The combined treatment of interferon alpha-2a and thymosin alpha 1 for chronic hepatitis C: the 48 weeks end of treatment results.

The efficacy and safety of IFN alpha 2a and Thymosin alpha1 combination therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C were determined. Twelve chronic hepatitis C patients (9 M, 3F), with positive HCV-RNA and histology compatible with chronic hepatitis C were included in this open, prospective study. Each patient received a combination therapy of IFN alpha 2a 3 mU s.c. TIW and Thymosin alpha1 1.6 mg s.c. twice a week for 52 weeks. Up to the present, 11 patients are still being followed-up after the end of 52 weeks' treatment. One patient dropped out after 32 weeks of follow-up due to noncompliance. Responses to treatment were evaluated by measuring serum HCV-RNA levels determined by RT-PCR. and serum amino transferases at the end of 48 weeks of treatment (end of treatment response: ETR). There were 8 naive and 4 previously IFN treated patients with partial response with a mean age of 45.0 +/- 10.1 (mean +/- SD). The mean duration from diagnosis until treatment was 25.1 +/- 22.9 months. The mean AST, ALT, and HCV-RNA levels before treatment were 79.5 +/- 36.8 U/L, 128.3 +/- 68.5 U/L, and 3.9+1.9 x 10(5) copies/ml respectively. Serum AST, ALT, and HCV-RNA levels were significantly lower at week 24 and 48 after treatment compared to before treatment (p<0.05). Of 11 cases, complete HCV-RNA clearance at week 24 was noted in 33.3 per cent, whereas, normal alanine aminotransferase values (ALT < 40 U/L) were observed in 41.7 per cent of patients. Complete HCV-RNA clearance and normal alanine aminotransferase at week 48 were seen in 45.5 per cent of the patients. At the end of week 48, complete response occurred in 4 of 5 naive patients. Minor side effects were observed during treatment with this combination therapy and these included myalgia (33.3%), mild form of alopecia (33.3%), and weight loss (8.3%). In patients with chronic hepatitis C, Interferon alpha 2a and Thymosin alpha1 combination therapy produced a good response rate especially in naive patients with acceptable safety profile. The sustained response will be determined after the completion of follow-up for another 6 months.

Eradication of Helicobacter pylori with lansoprazole based triple therapy in peptic ulcer disease.

Lansoprazole 30 mg, amoxicillin 1000 mg, and tinidazole 500 mg were given twice daily to 39 peptic ulcer patients (26 duodenal and 13 gastric ulcer, mean age 52.4 +/- 15.01) who had H. pylori infection for two weeks. Additional lansoprazole 30 mg daily was given to duodenal and gastric ulcer patients for another two and six weeks respectively. Follow-up gastroduodenoscope was performed at fourth and eighth week and eighth and twelfth week for all duodenal and gastric ulcer patients, respectively. H. pylori status was evaluated by rapid urease test (CLO test) and histology at first and last endoscope. The ulcers were healed at the last endoscopy in 11 (85%) gastric ulcer patients and 24 (92%) duodenal ulcers patients. H. pylori infection was eradicated in 31 patients (79%). Mild side effects were observed in 15 per cent. In conclusion, 2 week regimen of lansoprazole, amoxicillin, and tinidazole triple therapy resulted in a relatively high healing rate of peptic ulcer (90%) and an acceptable eradication rate of H. pylori infection (79%).