Thymosin α1 is a peptide fragment derived from prothymosin alpha, a protein that in humans is encoded by the PTMA gene.

Thymosin α1 was the first of the peptides from Thymosin Fraction 5 to be completely sequenced and synthesized. Unlike β thymosins, to which it is genetically and chemically unrelated, thymosin α1 is produced as a 28-amino acid fragment, from a longer, 113-amino acid precursor, prothymosin α.

Uses

Thymosin Alpha-1 (Ta1) is a peptide that is comprised of amino acids. This peptide is currently being used to modulate the immune system in some really exciting ways. Thymosin Alpha-1 reduces and modulates inflammation. Thymosin Alpha-1 has been used and studied in malignant melanoma, small cell lung cancer, Hepatitis B and C, auto-immune conditions, Lyme Disease, Epstein-Barr Virus and other viral infections.  Tα1 shows remarkable effects in the treatment of other diseases such as severe sepsis, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), gastrointestinal and systemic infectious disorders, and spontaneous peritonitis in individuals with cirrhosis. 

Benefits

Thymosin α1 is a biological response modifier which activates various cells of the immune system, and is therefore expected to have clinical benefits in disorders where immune responses are impaired or ineffective, including acute and chronic viral and bacterial infections, cancers, and vaccine non-responsiveness. 

Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on hemodialysis, in addition to their intrinsic kidney disease and frequent burden of comorbidities, also have increased risk of exposure to communicable diseases as they are treated several times each week at hemodialysis centers with several other patients and clinic staff in attendance. The majority of patients are over 60 years of age and many are receiving immunosuppressive medications. Accordingly, ESRD patients are particularly susceptible to COVID-19 infection. 

Thymosin α1 has been shown to be safely administered to hemodialysis patients. It is our hypothesis that a course of Ta1 administered to individuals with ESRD will reduce the rate and severity of infection with COVID-19.