What is Thymosin Alpha-1?

An immune-modulating thymic peptide that recalibrates T-cell function.

Thymosin Alpha-1 in the library · · Human Trials · What are peptides?

47 registered trials · 91 indexed papers · 284 human / 214 animal studies

From the PeptideWhiz library entry. "As described" sections summarize claims made in the sources; they are not PeptideWhiz endorsements.

What it is

An immune-modulating thymic peptide that recalibrates T-cell function. It balances immunity rather than revving it up.

Mechanism (as described)

  • Shifts T cells toward regulatory states (Tregs; Th1/Th2/Th17 balance).
  • Lowers pathogenic antibodies and TNF-α/IL-6.
  • Strengthens dendritic, NK and cytotoxic T-cell surveillance (IL-2, IFN-γ).
  • Restores mucosal IgA.
  • Rebalances blood-cell production.

Additional points (as described)

  • The thymus shrinks by middle age. TA1 trains immune function rather than boosting or suppressing it; it shifts Th17 toward Tregs.
  • Approved abroad as an add-on for melanoma and hepatitis B.
  • In lupus it's called non-negotiable (T-cell regulation, fewer harmful antibodies).

Registered human trials (47)

TrialPhaseStatusYearEnrolled
AI-assisted Subtyping-directed Precision Treatment in Acute Aortic Dissectionnot yet recruiting2027300
Thymalfasin for Immune Recovery in Adults With Sepsisrecruiting202660
Study of Adebrelimab Combined With Thymalfasin and Chemotherapy for Neoadjuvant Treatment of Esophageal CancerPhase 2not yet recruiting202631
"Thymalfasin Immunotherapy Study with Triple Regimen in Advanced MSS/pMMR Colorectal Cancer"Phase 2recruiting202552
Thymalfasin (Thymosin Alpha 1; Ta1) as an Enhancer of Vaccine Response Among Older Adults Receiving Booster Doses of COVID-19 VaccinePhase 1recruiting202475
Efficacy and Safety of Anti-PD-1, Thymalfasin, and SOX in Neoadjuvant Treatment of cStage III Gastric/Gastroesophageal Junction AdenocarcinomaPhase 2recruiting202430
Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy Combined With PD-1 Inhibitor and Thymalfasin for pMMR/MSS Locally Advanced Mid-low Rectal CancerPhase 2active not recruiting202420
Neoadjuvant With Tα1 Plus Immuno-chemotherapy for Resectable NSCLCunknown202440
Thymalfasin and Recombinant Human IL-2 Injections in Treating Lymphocytopenia for Patients With Malignant Hematological TumorsPhase 2recruiting202450
Immuno-effect of Tα1 for Stage I NSCLCunknown202440
Radiotherapy With Sequential Chemotherapy Combined With PD-1 Inhibitor and Thymalfasin for BRPCPhase 2not yet recruiting202420
The Impact of Thymosin α-1 on the Efficacy of Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy Followed by Immunotherpay Consolidation for Locally Advanced NSCLCPhase 2completed2023114
Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy Combined With PD-1 Inhibitor and Thymalfasin for Locally Advanced Mid-low Rectal Cancercompleted202347
Thymosin Alpha 1 Combined With Anti-PD-1 Monoclonal Antibody in Elderly Patients With Advanced MelanomaPhase 2recruiting202355
Thymosin Alpha-1 for irAE Secondary to ICIsPhase 4unknown202340
Thymalfasin-based PRaG Mode for Advanced Refractory Solid TumorsPhase 2unknown202360
Thymosin Alpha 1 to Prevent COVID-19 Infection in Renal Dialysis PatientsPhase 2completed2021189
Zadaxin and HIV-positive Patients With Immune Reconstitution DisorderEARLY_Phase 1completed202120
Thymosin-alpha 1 for Adjuvant Treatment After Radical Resection of High-risk Stage II and III Colorectal CancerPhase 3recruiting20212500
Thymalfasin (Thymosin Alpha 1) to Treat COVID-19 InfectionPhase 2terminated202056
Experimental Trial of rhIFNα Nasal Drops to Prevent 2019-nCOV in Medical StaffPhase 3unknown20202944
Study of Thymosin α1 to Reduce Acute Pneumonia For Bulky None-small Cell Lung CancerPhase 2completed201869
Thymosin Alpha 1 in the Prevention of Pancreatic Infection Following Acute Necrotizing PancreatitisPhase 4completed2018508
The Efficacy and Safety of Thymosin-α1 in Patients With HBV-related ACLFcompleted2017120
The Efficacy and Safety of Ta1 for SepsisPhase 3completed20161106
Efficacy of Thymosin Alpha 1 on Improving Monocyte Function for SepsisPhase 4completed201620
Abscopal Effect for Metastatic Non-small Cell Lung Cancer.Phase 2withdrawn2016
SBRT Combined With Thymalfasin for Metastatic Esophageal CancerPhase 2unknown201629
Radiotherapy Combined With Thymosin for Metastatic NSCLC Patients Who Showed Stable Disease After First Line TKI TherapyPhase 2unknown201646
Thymosin Alpha 1 Plus Maintenance Therapy With the Standard of Care (SoC) in Patients With Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), EGFR Wild TypePhase 2unknown2016140
First Line Bio-immunotherapy With Thymosin Alpha 1 in Patients With Sensitizing EGFR Mutation Positive Non Small Cell Lung Cancer Who Are Taking Standard of Care TherapyPhase 1/Phase 2unknown2016188
Abscopal Effect for Metastatic Colorectal CancerPhase 2withdrawn2015
Abscopal Effect for Metastatic Small Cell Lung CancerPhase 2withdrawn2015
Thymalfasin Adjuvant Therapy in Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) After Curative ResectionPhase 4unknown2015360
Optimized Treatment and Regression of HBV-induced Early CirrhosisPhase 4completed201382
Optimized Treatment and Regression of HBV-induced Compensated Liver CirrhosisPhase 4completed2013606
Therapeutic Safety and Efficacy of REP 2139 (REP 9AC') in HBV Infected PatientsPhase 1/Phase 2completed201112
Dendritic Cell Based Therapy for Breast Cancer PatientsPhase 2withdrawn2009
A Pilot Study to Evaluate ZADAXIN's® (Thymalfasin) Ability to Enhance Immune Response to the H1N1sw Influenza VaccinePhase 2completed2009120
Efficacy of Thymosin alpha1 for Severe Sepsiscompleted2008366

Peer-reviewed studies (91)

PaperAuthorsJournalYearType
Thymosin α1 improves the outcomes of patients with hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure by restoring immune balanceLi ZH et al.Immunopharmacology and immunotoxicology2026Randomized Controlled Trial
Neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy plus thymalfasin in locally advanced gastric cancer: a prospective clinical trialXu H et al.BMC medicine2026Clinical Trial, Phase II
Effect of thymosin α1 on Immune response and organ function in acute aortic dissection surgery: PANDA II trial protocolLiu H et al.Future cardiology2025Clinical Study
Hypofractionated radiotherapy combined with a PD-1 inhibitor, granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor, and thymosin-α1 in advanced metastatic solid tumors: a multicenter Phase II clinical trialYu J et al.Cancer immunology, immunotherapy : CII2025Clinical Trial, Phase II
The efficacy and safety of thymosin α1 for sepsis (TESTS): multicentre, double blinded, randomised, placebo controlled, phase 3 trialWu J et al.BMJ (Clinical research ed.)2025Randomized Controlled Trial
Immune-Enhancing Treatment among Acute Necrotizing Pancreatitis Patients with Metabolic Abnormalities: A Post Hoc Analysis of a Randomized Clinical TrialHuang X et al.Gut and liver2024Randomized Controlled Trial
A Prospective and Randomized Control Study on Effects of Thymalfasin for Injection on Perioperative Immune Function and Long-term Prognosis of Patients with Colorectal CancerNiu W et al.Biotechnology & genetic engineering reviews2024Randomized Controlled Trial
A pilot trial of Thymalfasin (Ta1) to prevent covid-19 infection and morbidities in renal dialysis patients: Preliminary reportTuthill CW et al.International immunopharmacology2023Randomized Controlled Trial
A randomized controlled pilot trial of etanercept and alpha-1 antitrypsin to improve autologous islet engraftmentAbdel-Karim TR et al.Pancreatology : official journal of the International Association of Pancreatology (IAP) ... [et al.]2023Randomized Controlled Trial
Value of Thymosin α1 Combined With Blood Purification to Increase Successful Rescues of Shock PatientsBai L et al.Alternative therapies in health and medicine2022Randomized Controlled Trial
Efficacy of Thymosin α1 in Management of Radiation Pneumonitis in Patients With Locally Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treated With Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy: A Phase 2 Clinical Trial (GASTO-1043)Liu F et al.International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics2022Clinical Trial, Phase II
Safety and efficacy of Thymosin α1 in the treatment of hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure: a randomized controlled trialChen JF et al.Hepatology international2022Randomized Controlled Trial
Hypofractionated Radiation Therapy Combined With Weekly Chemotherapy in Patients With Unresectable or Recurrent Thymic Epithelial Tumor: A Prospective, Single-Arm Phase 2 Study (GASTO-1042)Chu C et al.International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics2022Clinical Trial, Phase II
Thymosin alpha 1 in the prevention of infected pancreatic necrosis following acute necrotising pancreatitis (TRACE trial): protocol of a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trialZhou J et al.BMJ open2020Clinical Study
Combination of entecavir with thymosin alpha-1 in HBV-related compensated cirrhosis: a prospective multicenter randomized open-label studyWu X et al.Expert opinion on biological therapy2018Randomized Controlled Trial
[Effect of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization combined with thymosin alpha 1 on the autophagy of immune cells from advanced hepatocellular carcinoma]Fang SJ et al.Zhonghua yi xue za zhi2017Clinical Trial
Thymalfasin, a promising adjuvant therapy in small hepatocellular carcinoma after liver resectionHe C et al.Medicine2017Observational Study
Safety and Efficacy of Nucleic Acid Polymers in Monotherapy and Combined with Immunotherapy in Treatment-Naive Bangladeshi Patients with HBeAg+ Chronic Hepatitis B InfectionAl-Mahtab M et al.PloS one2016Clinical Trial, Phase III
[Prevention Effect of Thymosin-alpha1 Aganist Early Ventilator-associated Pneumonia in Patients with Mechanical Ventilation]Zhang SS et al.Sichuan da xue xue bao. Yi xue ban = Journal of Sichuan University. Medical science edition2015Randomized Controlled Trial
[Effect of Acupuncture on Prognosis and Immune Function of Sepsis Patients]Xiao QS et al.Zhongguo Zhong xi yi jie he za zhi Zhongguo Zhongxiyi jiehe zazhi = Chinese journal of integrated traditional and Western medicine2015Randomized Controlled Trial
Thymosin α1 plus routine treatment inhibit inflammatory reaction and improve the quality of life in AECOPD patientsJia Z et al.Immunopharmacology and immunotoxicology2015Randomized Controlled Trial
A multicenter, randomized, observation-controlled clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of thymalfasin adjuvant therapy in patients with HBV-related HCC after curative resection - first announcement of the protocolQiu SJ et al.Expert opinion on biological therapy2015Randomized Controlled Trial
The efficacy of thymosin alpha 1 for severe sepsis (ETASS): a multicenter, single-blind, randomized and controlled trialWu J et al.Critical care (London, England)2013Randomized Controlled Trial
Efficacy of thymosin α-1 plus peginterferon α-2a combination therapy compared with peginterferon α-2a monotherapy in HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B: a prospective, multicenter, randomized, open-label studyKim BH et al.Scandinavian journal of gastroenterology2012Randomized Controlled Trial
Thymosin alpha-1 with peginterferon alfa-2a/ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C not responsive to IFN/ribavirin: an adjuvant role?Ciancio A et al.Journal of viral hepatitis2012Randomized Controlled Trial
Thymosin alpha 1 is associated with improved cellular immunity and reduced infection rate in severe acute pancreatitis patients in a double-blind randomized control studyWang X et al.Inflammation2011Randomized Controlled Trial
Effect of thymosin-α(1) on T-helper 1 cell and T-helper 2 cell cytokine synthesis in patients with hepatitis B virus e antigen-positive chronic hepatitis BJiang YF et al.The Journal of international medical research2010Randomized Controlled Trial
Large randomized study of thymosin alpha 1, interferon alfa, or both in combination with dacarbazine in patients with metastatic melanomaMaio M et al.Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology2010Randomized Controlled Trial
[Immune and inflammation confusion in severe sepsis and effects of bi-immunomodulation therapy: a prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial]Zhou LX et al.Zhonghua yi xue za zhi2009Randomized Controlled Trial
Treatment of patients with severe sepsis using ulinastatin and thymosin alpha1: a prospective, randomized, controlled pilot studyChen H et al.Chinese medical journal2009Randomized Controlled Trial

More cited research

Conditions researched

Related compounds

FAQ

What is Thymosin Alpha-1?

An immune-modulating thymic peptide that recalibrates T-cell function.

How many registered human trials study Thymosin Alpha-1?

The PeptideWhiz trial index lists 47 registered trials for Thymosin Alpha-1, the most recent from 2027.

How much published research exists on Thymosin Alpha-1?

The PeptideWhiz paper index links 91 PubMed papers to Thymosin Alpha-1; by study type, 284 human and 214 animal studies.

Which conditions is Thymosin Alpha-1 researched for?

Lupus (SLE), Rheumatoid arthritis, Ankylosing spondylitis, Gut: IBD (Crohn's, colitis), leaky gut, IBS & ulcers, Mold illness (mycotoxin exposure), Lyme disease & chronic infections, Recurrent vaginal infections & vaginal atrophy, PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder), Endometriosis, Chronic pain: fibromyalgia & CRPS, Multiple sclerosis, Lung health, asthma & COPD, Atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease & high blood pressure, Fatty liver & elevated liver enzymes, Autism support, High-demand jobs: military, fire, police, EMT (and combat-sport athletes), Alpha-gal syndrome, Anti-aging & longevity, Candida & persistent bacterial infections, Hashimoto's (autoimmune thyroid), Pancreatitis (after the acute phase), Skin, hair loss, wounds & mast-cell/histamine reactivity, Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, Eczema, Neuropathy and CRPS, Bell's palsy, Prostate inflammation, Immune system (general), Anemia, Chronic and systemic inflammation, EBV and reactivated viruses, Estrogen dominance, High ferritin and iron overload, Post-surgical inflammation and surgery recovery, Thick blood and blood clots, Kidney protection (CKD, diabetic kidney, lupus kidney).

Research and education only. Not medical advice. No dosing guidance. Data: ClinicalTrials.gov registry and PubMed via the PeptideWhiz index (204,289 studies).

Reported dosing ranges from research