Thymosin alpha one

Thymosin alpha-1 (TA1) is an investigational drug in Phase II trials for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B and in Phase III trials for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C. Phase II trials for hepatocellular carcinoma, malignant melanoma, and drug-resistant tuberculosis were scheduled to begin in fall 2000 (R. Koh, SciClone Pharmaceuticals, personal communication, 2000 May 5). TA1 has been granted orphan drug status for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B, HIV, hepatocellular carcinoma, and DiGeorge's syndrome with immune defects. (Di George's syndrome is a congenital birth defect that leads to hypoplasia or aplasia of the thymus and parathyroid glands, cardiac defects, and immune system dysfunction). <br>Thymosin is a synthetic version of a naturally occurring hormone that circulates inside your thymus. Thymosin alpha-1 is an injectable synthetic hormone that is being studied for hepatitis B, lung and neck cancer, and as an immune-modulator in AIDS. Results from a very small Italian trial suggest that thymosin in combination with an anti-retroviral and low dose alpha-interferon may result in increased T cells. <BR>Thymosin alpha 1 has not been approved by FDA for general use in the United States although It has been approved in other countries.