Chronic viral hepatitis caused by hepatitis B, C or 0 may lead to cirrhosis, hepatocellular failure and hepatocellular carcinoma. The morbidity of these diseases has necessitated a prolonged search for effective therapy. Although many antiviral compounds have been evaluated for the treatment of chronic viral hepatitis, few have achieved clinical applicability. Alpha-interferon has been widely studied, and remains the mainstay of treatment. A number of other cytokines, including thymosin, are being evaluated. Nucleoside analogues, alone or in combination with alphainterferon, may prove useful adjuncts to the treatment of chronic hepatitis Band C
