Composition and method of treating hepatitis C

Abstract

Compositions and methods of use for treating hepatitis C virus-infected mammals are disclosed. The compositions include one or more thymosins in combination with one or more interferons. Methods of treatment include use of thymosins together, or sequentially with interferon.

1 - 24 . (canceled)  
     
     
         25 . A composition comprising a pharmaceutical dosage unit of a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, 900-1200 μg/m 2  of body surface area or 1500-1700 μg thymosin-α and/or fragments of thymosin-α in combination with 1-3 MU of at least one α-interferon, said pharmaceutical dosage unit being capable of promoting in vivo inactivation of hepatitis C virus when administered to mammals infected with said virus.  
     
     
         26 . The composition of  claim 25 , wherein said α-interferon is interferon α-2b.  
     
     
         27 . The composition of  claim 26 , wherein said interferon is recombinant interferon.  
     
     
         28 . The composition of  claim 25 , wherein said thymosin α is thymosin α-1.  
     
     
         29 . An anti-hepatitis C formulation comprising 900-1200 μg/m 2  of body surface area or 1500-1700 μg of at least one thymosin-α or fragment of thymosin-α, said thymosin fragment selected from the group consisting of C-terminal 4-28, C-terminal 15-28, N-terminal 1-8, N-terminal 1-14 and N-terminal 1-20, in combination with 1-3 MU of at least one α-interferon in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, for use in the treatment of a mammal infected with hepatitis C virus.  
     
     
         30 . The formulation of  claim 29 , wherein said thymosin is Thymosin α-1.  
     
     
         31 . The formulation of  claim 29 , wherein said α-interferon is interferon α-2b.  
     
     
         32 . The formulation of  claim 31 , wherein said interferon is recombinant interferon.  
     
     
         33 . The composition of  claim 25 , wherein said fragment of thymosin-α is selected from the group consisting of C-terminal 4-28 fragment, C-terminal 15-28 fragment, N-terminal 1-8 fragment, N-terminal 1-14 fragment and N-terminal 1-12 fragments.