Thymosin Alpha-1

Key Benefits#

• Enhances T-cell and NK cell activity
• Supports recovery from viral and bacterial infections
• May reduce inflammation systemically
• Supports healthy aging and immune resilience
• Improves vaccine response
• Supports liver health
• May help with chronic fatigue syndrome and post-viral conditions
• Approved in multiple countries for hepatitis B and C treatment

Mechanism of Action#

Thymosin Alpha-1 enhances immune function by increasing T-cell differentiation and maturation, stimulating production of interleukins (IL-2, IL-3), interferon-gamma, and TNF-alpha. It boosts natural killer (NK) cell activity and dendritic cell function. It has both immunostimulatory effects (boosting weak immune responses to infections/cancer) and immunoregulatory effects (dampening excessive inflammation in autoimmune conditions).

Dosing Protocols#

Side Effects#

• Injection site irritation
• Mild flu-like symptoms initially (immune activation)
• Fatigue (rare)

Contraindications#

Organ transplant recipients requiring immunosuppression (contraindicated). Certain autoimmune conditions — evaluate case by case. Pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Storage#

Lyophilized powder: refrigerate at 2–8°C (do not freeze). Reconstituted: refrigerate, use within 24 hours per manufacturer guidelines.

Featured In Stacks#

1. 1.
   Neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy plus thymalfasin in locally advanced gastric cancer: a prospective clinical trial

   Xu H, Li F, Li B, Yang D, Liu T, Xia Y et al. · BMC medicine · 2026PubMed Verified

2. 2.
   A Case Report of a Multisystemic Immune-Related Adverse Event Caused by Sintilimab in Combination With Thymosin Alpha-1

   Li T, Wu BL, Yu CL, Jin LY · Clinical case reports · 2026PubMed Verified

3. 3.
   Zerumbone mediated CD1d inhibition suppresses epithelial to mesenchymal transition in triple negative breast cancer

   Shyanti RK, Sharma S, Haque M, Tiwari RK, Singh R, Mishra M · Discover oncology · 2026PubMed Verified

4. 4.
   Aging and Thymosin Alpha-1

   Simonova MA, Ivanov I, Shoshina NS, Komyakova AM, Makarov DA, Baranovskii DS et al. · International journal of molecular sciences · 2025ReviewPubMed Verified

5. 5.
   Thymosin α1 alleviates pulpitis by inhibiting ferroptosis of dental pulp cells

   Wu J, Gong Q, Liu W, Chen A, Liao Z, Huang Y et al. · International journal of oral science · 2025PubMed Verified

6. 6.
   Thymosin α1 Combined With 2HRZE/4HR Regimen as a Potential Treatment of Pulmonary Tuberculosis: An Analysis of Immune Function, Pulmonary Function and Inflammatory Response

   Wu G, Sun X · British journal of hospital medicine (London, England : 2005) · 2025PubMed Verified

7. 7.
   Efficacy of thymosin α1 for sepsis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

   Gu B, Zhou Y, Nie Y, Wang L, Liang L, Liao Z et al. · Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology · 2025Meta-AnalysisPubMed Verified

8. 8.
   The Immunomodulatory Activity of Thymosin Alpha 1 on Tumor Cell Lines and Distinct Immune Cell Subsets

   Solmonese L, Lofiego MF, Fazio C, Marzani F, Piazzini F, Bello E et al. · OncoTargets and therapy · 2025PubMed Verified

9. 9.
   Unveiling lymphocyte dynamics: Navigating postoperative immune landscapes in gastric cancer patients undergoing laparoscopic D2 gastrectomy

   Gao C, Zhu L, Tong YX, Zhang S · International journal of immunopathology and pharmacology · 2025PubMed Verified

10. 10.
    Thymosin alpha 1 alleviates inflammation and prevents infection in patients with severe acute pancreatitis through immune regulation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

    Tian Y, Yao J, Ma Y, Zhang P, Zhou X, Xie W et al. · Frontiers in immunology · 2025Meta-AnalysisPubMed Verified

11. 11.
    The Synergistic and Attenuated Mechanism of Action of the Xihuang Pill in Dual Immunotherapy After Stenting for Advanced Cholangiocarcinoma: A Controlled Clinical Trial

    Wang P, Wang YH, Tao Y, Zheng XL, Wang WC · International journal of general medicine · 2025PubMed Verified

12. 12.
    Effect of thymosin α1 on Immune response and organ function in acute aortic dissection surgery: PANDA II trial protocol

    Liu H, Qian SC, Zhang YY, Tang CB, Yue HH, Fan GL et al. · Future cardiology · 2025Clinical TrialPubMed Verified

13. 13.
    The efficacy and safety of thymosin alpha-1 combined with lenvatinib plus sintilimab in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: a retrospective study

    Yao S, Huang Q, Zou Y, Liu T, Yang Y, Huang T et al. · Scientific reports · 2025PubMed Verified

14. 14.
    Effect analysis of entecavir on serum hyaluronic acid, laminin and IV collagen in the treatment of hepatitis B E-antigen-positive chronic hepatitis B

    Qian J, Sun X, Cheng Y · African health sciences · 2024PubMed Verified

15. 15.
    Exploiting the potential of in situ forming liquid crystals: development and in vitro performance of long-acting depots for peptide drug thymosin alpha 1 subcutaneous administration

    Vitek M, Zvonar Pobirk A, Roškar R, Matjaž MG · Drug delivery · 2025PubMed Verified

16. 16.
    The Effect of Ulinastatin on Sepsis Outcomes: An Umbrella Review of Meta-Analysis

    Cao S, Han P · Clinical therapeutics · 2025Meta-AnalysisPubMed Verified

17. 17.
    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 trial

    Yu J, Yin L, Guo W, Wang Q, Liu J, Zhang L et al. · Cancer immunology, immunotherapy : CII · 2025Clinical TrialPubMed Verified

18. 18.
    Indications for an antidepressive effect of thymosin alpha-1 in a small open-label proof of concept study in common variable immune deficiency patients with depression

    Aynekulu Mersha DG, Fromme SE, van Boven F, Arteaga-Henríquez G, Wijkhuijs A, van der Ent M et al. · Brain, behavior, & immunity - health · 2025PubMed Verified

19. 19.
    The efficacy and safety of thymosin α1 for sepsis (TESTS): multicentre, double blinded, randomised, placebo controlled, phase 3 trial

    Wu J, Pei F, Zhou L, Li W, Sun R, Li Y et al. · BMJ (Clinical research ed.) · 2025RCTPubMed Verified

20. 20.
    Personalized neoantigen hydrogel vaccine combined with PD-1 and CTLA-4 double blockade elicits antitumor response in liver metastases by activating intratumoral CD8(+)CD69(+) T cells

    Tang S, Tang R, Chen G, Zhang D, Lin K, Yang H et al. · Journal for immunotherapy of cancer · 2024PubMed Verified

21. 21.
    Thymosin Alpha 1 Plus Routine Treatment for the Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

    Cao A, Feng F, Zhou X · Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons--Pakistan : JCPSP · 2024Meta-AnalysisPubMed Verified

22. 22.
    Thymosin α1 reverses oncolytic adenovirus-induced M2 polarization of macrophages to improve antitumor immunity and therapeutic efficacy

    Liu K, Kong L, Cui H, Zhang L, Xin Q, Zhuang Y et al. · Cell reports. Medicine · 2024PubMed Verified

23. 23.
    PD-1 inhibitor combined with SBRT, GM-CSF, and thymosin alpha-1 in metastatic breast cancer: A case report and literature review

    Yu J, Wang Q, Wang L, Zong D, He X · Medicine · 2024Case ReportPubMed Verified

24. 24.
    Phenotypic drug discovery: a case for thymosin alpha-1

    Garaci E, Paci M, Matteucci C, Costantini C, Puccetti P, Romani L · Frontiers in medicine · 2024ReviewPubMed Verified

25. 25.
    Effect of thymalfasin on myeloid-derived suppressor cells in patients with non-small cell lung cancer

    Shi F, Qiu H, Yan J, Ke C, Li Y · American journal of translational research · 2024PubMed Verified

26. 26.
    Efficacy of the combination of BRII-196/BRII-198 in the treatment of COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough infections

    Guo XL, Wang K, Jin J, Dai LL · American journal of translational research · 2024PubMed Verified

27. 27.
    Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of a precise thymalfasin-regulated PRaG regimen for advanced refractory solid tumours: protocol for the open-label, prospective, multicentre study (PRaG5.0 study)

    Kong Y, Chen R, Xu M, Zhang J, Chen G, Hong Z et al. · BMJ open · 2024PubMed Verified

28. 28.
    Enhanced Immunomodulatory Effects of Thymosin-Alpha-1 in Combination with Polyanionic Carbosilane Dendrimers against HCMV Infection

    Espinar-Buitrago MS, Magro-López E, Vázquez-Alejo E, Muñoz-Fernández MÁ · International journal of molecular sciences · 2024PubMed Verified

29. 29.
    Immune-Enhancing Treatment among Acute Necrotizing Pancreatitis Patients with Metabolic Abnormalities: A Post Hoc Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial

    Huang X, Mao W, Hu X, Qin F, Zhao H, Zhang A et al. · Gut and liver · 2024RCTPubMed Verified

30. 30.
    Comprehensive Review of the Safety and Efficacy of Thymosin Alpha 1 in Human Clinical Trials

    Dinetz E, Lee E · Alternative therapies in health and medicine · 2024Meta-AnalysisPubMed Verified

31. 31.
    Role of thymosin α1 in restoring immune response in immunological nonresponders living with HIV

    Chen C, Wang J, Xun J, Zhang X, Liu L, Song Z et al. · BMC infectious diseases · 2024PubMed Verified

32. 32.
    Immune modulation via dendritic cells by the effect of Thymosin-alpha-1 on immune synapse in HCMV infection

    Espinar-Buitrago MS, Vazquez-Alejo E, Magro-Lopez E, Tarancon-Diez L, Leal M, Muñoz-Fernandez MA · International immunopharmacology · 2023PubMed Verified

33. 33.
    Therapeutic applications of thymosin peptides: a patent landscape 2018-present

    Quagliata M, Papini AM, Rovero P · Expert opinion on therapeutic patents · 2023ReviewPubMed Verified

34. 34.
    The efficacy of thymosin alpha-1 therapy in moderate to critical COVID-19 patients: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression

    Soeroto AY, Suryadinata H, Yanto TA, Hariyanto TI · Inflammopharmacology · 2023Meta-AnalysisPubMed Verified

35. 35.
    Thymosin α1 modulated the immune landscape of COVID-19 patients revealed by single-cell RNA and TCR sequencing

    Bai H, Liang L, Qi X, Xu Y, Liu Y, Ren D et al. · International immunopharmacology · 2023PubMed Verified

36. 36.
    Risk Factors and Drug Efficacy for Severe Illness in Hemodialysis Patients Infected with the Omicron Variant of COVID-19

    Wu Y, He L, Guo Y, Wang N · Kidney & blood pressure research · 2023PubMed Verified

37. 37.
    Thymalfasin therapy accelerates COVID-19 pneumonia rehabilitation through anti-inflammatory mechanisms

    Wang Z, Wang C, Fei X, Wu H, Niu P, Shen C · Pneumonia (Nathan Qld.) · 2023PubMed Verified

38. 38.
    Mechanism and clinical application of thymosin in the treatment of lung cancer

    Liu Y, Lu J · Frontiers in immunology · 2023ReviewPubMed Verified

39. 39.
    Palliative care and Chinese medicine in a centenarian with primary hepatocellular carcinoma and 27-month follow-up: A case report

    Hu Y, Lan XH, Cao YJ, Duan JQ, Ren QT, Jin Y et al. · Heliyon · 2023Case ReportPubMed Verified

40. 40.
    The use of alpha 1 thymosin as an immunomodulator of the response against SARS-Cov2

    Espinar-Buitrago MS, Tarancon-Diez L, Vazquez-Alejo E, Magro-Lopez E, Genebat M, Romero-Candau F et al. · Immunity & ageing : I & A · 2023PubMed Verified

41. 41.
    Zoledronic acid and thymosin α1 elicit antitumor immunity against prostate cancer by enhancing tumor inflammation and cytotoxic T cells

    Wang S, Huang M, Chen M, Sun Z, Jiao Y, Ye G et al. · Journal for immunotherapy of cancer · 2023PubMed Verified

42. 42.
    A Prospective and Randomized Control Study on Effects of Thymalfasin for Injection on Perioperative Immune Function and Long-term Prognosis of Patients with Colorectal Cancer

    Niu W, Li Z, Li Z, Hu X, Wang X, Ding Y et al. · Biotechnology & genetic engineering reviews · 2024RCTPubMed Verified

43. 43.
    Thymosin α1 and Its Role in Viral Infectious Diseases: The Mechanism and Clinical Application

    Tao N, Xu X, Ying Y, Hu S, Sun Q, Lv G et al. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) · 2023ReviewPubMed Verified

44. 44.
    Reduced numbers of naïve CD4 + T cells and an altered CD4/CD8 balance in depressed common variable immune deficiency (CVID) patients. Is thymosin-α1 a possible treatment?

    Manusama O, Singh S, Brooimans RA, Wijkhuijs A, van der Ent M, Drexhage HA et al. · International immunopharmacology · 2023PubMed Verified

45. 45.
    Thymosin α1 interacts with Galectin-1 modulating the β-galactosides affinity and inducing alteration in the biological activity

    Matteucci C, Nepravishta R, Argaw-Denboba A, Mandaliti W, Giovinazzo A, Petrone V et al. · International immunopharmacology · 2023PubMed Verified

46. 46.
    Association between pretreatment lymphocyte count and efficacy of immune-enhancing therapy in acute necrotising pancreatitis: a post-hoc analysis of the multicentre, randomised, placebo-controlled TRACE trial

    Ke L, Mao W, Shao F, Zhou J, Xu M, Chen T et al. · EClinicalMedicine · 2023PubMed Verified

47. 47.
    Thymosin alpha 1 restores the immune homeostasis in lymphocytes during Post-Acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection

    Minutolo A, Petrone V, Fanelli M, Maracchioni C, Giudice M, Teti E et al. · International immunopharmacology · 2023PubMed Verified

48. 48.
    Novel evidence of Thymosin α1 immunomodulatory properties in SARS-CoV-2 infection: Effect on innate inflammatory response in a peripheral blood mononuclear cell-based in vitro model

    Ricci D, Etna MP, Severa M, Fiore S, Rizzo F, Iannetta M et al. · International immunopharmacology · 2023PubMed Verified

49. 49.
    Adenovirus infection diagnosed by metagenomic next-generation sequencing after haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: A multicenter study in China

    Wu Q, Wu Y, Zhao Y, Zhang Y, Cao J, Wu D et al. · Transplant infectious disease : an official journal of the Transplantation Society · 2023PubMed Verified

50. 50.
    A pilot trial of Thymalfasin (Ta1) to prevent covid-19 infection and morbidities in renal dialysis patients: Preliminary report

    Tuthill CW, Awad A, Parrigon M, Ershler WB · International immunopharmacology · 2023RCTPubMed Verified