Part 07: the studies behind each claim
Where do the Thymosin Alpha-1 facts come from?
A DOI is a study's permanent code. PubMed is a free study library. Type either code into a web search.
How can you find and judge a study?
Match a claim's number to the study below. The sources run from 1977 through 2025. That phase 3 study was a late drug test. It covered people whose response to infection harmed their organs.
A source can't make a weak result strong. Small groups can mislead. If chance could explain a result, don't call it proof.
Most studies cover liver disease, sepsis, COVID-19, cancer, or weak defenses. Here the drug is called thymalfasin. A DOI is one paper's permanent code. PubMed is a free medical-study library. Paste either into a web search.
If a claim affects your choice, read past the title. Check the patient count and the care given to the other group. You don't need medical training to ask those questions.
- Goldstein AL, Low TL, McAdoo M, et al. Thymosin alpha1: isolation and sequence analysis of an immunologically active thymic polypeptide. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1977;74(2):725-729. ↗
- Wu J, Zhou L, Liu J, et al. The efficacy of thymosin alpha 1 for severe sepsis (ETASS): a multicenter, single-blind, randomized and controlled trial. Crit Care. 2013;17(1):R8. ↗
- Wu J, Pei F, Zhou L, et al. The efficacy and safety of thymosin alpha1 for sepsis (TESTS): multicentre, double blinded, randomised, placebo controlled, phase 3 trial. BMJ. 2025;388:e082583. ↗
- Billich A. Thymosin alpha-1. Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2001;58(10):886-889. ↗
- Romani L, Bistoni F, Montagnoli C, et al. Thymosin alpha1 activates dendritic cell tryptophan catabolism and establishes a regulatory environment for balance of inflammation and tolerance. Blood. 2006;108(7):2265-2274. ↗
- Dominari A, Hathaway III D, Pandav K, et al. Thymosin alpha 1: A comprehensive review of the literature. World J Virol. 2020;9(5):67-78. ↗
- Costantini C, Bellet MM, Pariano M, et al. A Reappraisal of Thymosin Alpha1 in Cancer Therapy. Front Oncol. 2019;9:873. ↗
- Ciancio A, Andreone P, Kaiser S, et al. Thymosin alpha-1 with peginterferon alfa-2a/ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C not responsive to IFN/ribavirin: an adjuvant role? J Viral Hepat. 2012;19 Suppl 1:52-59. ↗
- Dinetz E, Lee E. Comprehensive Review of the Safety and Efficacy of Thymosin Alpha 1 in Human Clinical Trials. Altern Ther Health Med. 2024;30(2):8-15. ↗
- Pica F, Chimenti MS, Gaziano R, et al. Serum thymosin α1 levels in patients with chronic inflammatory autoimmune diseases. Clin Exp Immunol. 2016;186(1):39-45. ↗
- Kim BH, Lee YJ, Kim W, et al. Efficacy of thymosin alpha-1 plus peginterferon alfa-2a combination therapy compared with peginterferon alfa-2a monotherapy in HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B: a prospective, multicenter, randomized, open-label study. Scand J Gastroenterol. 2012;47(8-9):1048-1055. ↗
- Gao D, Zhang X, Zhang J, et al. Expression of thymosin alpha1-thymopentin fusion peptide in Pichia pastoris and its characterization. Arch Pharm Res. 2008;31(11):1471-1476. ↗
- Zhu Y, Lu Y, Zhong YQ. [Preparation and properties of Talpha1 loaded injectable sustained release microspheres]. Yao Xue Xue Bao. 2007;42(2):211-215. ↗
- Li Y, Chen H, Li X, et al. A new immunomodulatory therapy for severe sepsis: Ulinastatin Plus Thymosin alpha 1. J Intensive Care Med. 2009;24(1):47-53. ↗