[The effect of IFN-alpha 2b-thymus peptides combined therapy in chronic hepatitis B].

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effects of IFN-alpha 2b associated with thymus peptides in treatment of chronic hepatitis B.

METHODS

A total of 52 individuals with chronic hepatitis B received IFN-alpha 2b(5 x 10(6) IU/ml qod) for 6 months and thymus peptides(20 mg qod) for 3 months. 50 patients received SMMC or other medicine such as WuWeizi, CuiPenCao served as control. There were no differences between two groups in sex, age, duration and seriousness of the disease.

RESULTS

The primary outcome measure for efficacy was the percentage of HBV DNA/HBeAg negativity after 6 months therapy. Rate of HBV DNA negativity was 75% and that of HBeAg was 73.1%, the inhibitory activity of IFN-alpha 2b against HBV was significantly higher than that of the control. Except transient fever, leukopenia and thrombocytopenia appearing at the beginning of the therapy, no serious adverse events were observed.

CONCLUSION

Potent inhibitory activity against HBV of IFN-alpha 2b is suggested and much works need to be done to improve the long-term effect of the therapy.