Efficacy of Thymosin Alpha 1 in the Treatment of COVID-19: A Multicenter Cohort Study.

Liu J, Shen Y, Wen Z, Xu Q, Wu Z, Feng H, Li Z, Dong X, Huang S, Guo J, Zhang L, Chen Y and 9 more

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Li W, Zhu W, Du H, Liu Y, Wang T, Chen L, Teboul JL, Annane D, Chen D

Frontiers in immunology2 Aug 2021Cited by 11 (Europe PMC)

PMID34408744PMCIDPMC8366398DOI10.3389/fimmu.2021.673693PepBankPUB-34408744

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Summary

BackgroundThymosin alpha 1 (Tα1) is widely used to treat patients with COVID-19 in China; however, its efficacy remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the efficacy of Tα1 as a COVID-19 therapy.MethodsWe performed a multicenter cohort study in five tertiary hospitals in the Hubei province of China between December 2019 and March 2020. The patient non-recovery rate was used as the primary outcome.ResultsAll crude outcomes, including non-recovery rate (65/306 vs. 290/1,976, p = 0.003), in-hospital mortality rate (62/306 vs. 271/1,976, p = 0.003), intubation rate (31/306 vs. 106/1,976, p = 0.001), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) incidence (104/306 vs. 499/1,976, p = 0.001), acute kidney injury (AKI) incidence (26/306 vs. 66/1,976, p < 0.001), and length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay (14.9 ± 12.7 vs. 8.7 ± 8.2 days, p < 0.001), were significantly higher in the Tα1 treatment group. After adjusting for confounding factors, Tα1 use was found to be significantly associated with a higher non-recovery rate than non-Tα1 use (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.1-2.1, p = 0.028). An increased risk of non-recovery rate associated with Tα1 use was observed in the patient subgroups with maximum sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores ≥2 (OR 2.0, 95%CI 1.4-2.9, p = 0.024), a record of ICU admission (OR 5.4, 95%CI 2.1-14.0, p p = 0.046). Furthermore, later initiation of Tα1 use was associated with a higher non-recovery rate.ConclusionTα1 use in COVID-19 patients was associated with an increased non-recovery rate, especially in those with greater disease severity.

CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study11

11 results from studies that gave the peptide. 11 results from people.

01HumanObservational studyEfficacy outcome
In patients with COVID-19, the crude non-recovery rate was significantly higher in the Tα1 group (65/306) than in the non-Tα1 group (290/1,976).
In plain wordsIn people with COVID-19, those given thymosin alpha‑1 recovered less often than those not given it.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
IncreaseCrude non-recovery rate
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Patients not treated with Tα1
Analysis
Primary
Outcome group
Mortality · Infection
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
non-recovery rate (65/306 vs. 290/1,976, p = 0.003)
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
were significantly higher in the Tα1 treatment group.
Summary · context
We performed a multicenter cohort study in five tertiary hospitals in the Hubei province of China between December 2019 and March 2020.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3440874401
02HumanObservational studyEfficacy outcome
After adjustment for confounders, Tα1 use in patients with COVID-19 was associated with a higher non-recovery rate (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.1-2.1).
In plain wordsAfter adjusting for other factors, thymosin alpha‑1 use was linked to a higher chance of not recovering from COVID-19.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
IncreaseAdjusted non-recovery rate
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Patients not treated with Tα1
Analysis
Primary
Outcome group
Mortality · Infection
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Measurements
OR
1.5 ratio
non-recovery, Tα1 vs non-Tα1
Source sentences
Summary
After adjusting for confounding factors, Tα1 use was found to be significantly associated with a higher non-recovery rate than non-Tα1 use (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.1-2.1, p = 0.028).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We performed a multicenter cohort study in five tertiary hospitals in the Hubei province of China between December 2019 and March 2020.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3440874407
03HumanObservational studyEfficacy outcome
In patients with COVID-19, crude in-hospital mortality was significantly higher in the Tα1 group (62/306) than in the non-Tα1 group (271/1,976).
In plain wordsIn people with COVID-19, more of those given thymosin alpha‑1 died in hospital than of those not given it.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
IncreaseCrude in-hospital mortality
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Patients not treated with Tα1
Outcome group
Mortality · Infection
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
in-hospital mortality rate (62/306 vs. 271/1,976, p = 0.003)
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
were significantly higher in the Tα1 treatment group.
Summary · context
We performed a multicenter cohort study in five tertiary hospitals in the Hubei province of China between December 2019 and March 2020.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3440874402
04HumanObservational studyEfficacy outcome
In patients with COVID-19, the crude intubation rate was significantly higher in the Tα1 group (31/306) than in the non-Tα1 group (106/1,976).
In plain wordsIn people with COVID-19, more of those given thymosin alpha‑1 needed a breathing tube than of those not given it.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
IncreaseCrude intubation rate
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Patients not treated with Tα1
Outcome group
Mortality · Respiratory
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
intubation rate (31/306 vs. 106/1,976, p = 0.001)
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
were significantly higher in the Tα1 treatment group.
Summary · context
We performed a multicenter cohort study in five tertiary hospitals in the Hubei province of China between December 2019 and March 2020.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3440874403
05HumanObservational studyEfficacy outcome
In patients with COVID-19, crude ARDS incidence was significantly higher in the Tα1 group (104/306) than in the non-Tα1 group (499/1,976).
In plain wordsIn people with COVID-19, more of those given thymosin alpha‑1 developed severe lung injury than of those not given it.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
IncreaseCrude ARDS incidence
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Patients not treated with Tα1
Outcome group
Adverse events · Respiratory
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) incidence (104/306 vs. 499/1,976, p = 0.001)
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
were significantly higher in the Tα1 treatment group.
Summary · context
We performed a multicenter cohort study in five tertiary hospitals in the Hubei province of China between December 2019 and March 2020.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3440874404
06HumanObservational studyEfficacy outcome
In patients with COVID-19, crude acute kidney injury incidence was significantly higher in the Tα1 group (26/306) than in the non-Tα1 group (66/1,976).
In plain wordsIn people with COVID-19, more of those given thymosin alpha‑1 developed acute kidney injury than of those not given it.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
IncreaseCrude AKI incidence
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Patients not treated with Tα1
Outcome group
Adverse events · Kidney and urinary
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
acute kidney injury (AKI) incidence (26/306 vs. 66/1,976, p < 0.001)
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
were significantly higher in the Tα1 treatment group.
Summary · context
We performed a multicenter cohort study in five tertiary hospitals in the Hubei province of China between December 2019 and March 2020.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3440874405
07HumanObservational studyEfficacy outcome
In patients with COVID-19, length of ICU stay was significantly longer in the Tα1 group (14.9 days) than in the non-Tα1 group (8.7 days).
In plain wordsIn people with COVID-19, those given thymosin alpha‑1 stayed longer in intensive care than those not given it.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
IncreaseLength of ICU stay
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Patients not treated with Tα1
Outcome group
Adverse events · Infection
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Measurements
ICU stay
14.9 days
Tα1 group
ICU stay
8.7 days
non-Tα1 group
Source sentences
Summary
length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay (14.9 ± 12.7 vs. 8.7 ± 8.2 days, p < 0.001)
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
were significantly higher in the Tα1 treatment group.
Summary · context
We performed a multicenter cohort study in five tertiary hospitals in the Hubei province of China between December 2019 and March 2020.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3440874406
08HumanObservational studyEfficacy outcome
In the subgroup with maximum SOFA scores of 2 or more, Tα1 use was associated with a higher non-recovery rate (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.4-2.9).
In plain wordsIn sicker COVID-19 patients by organ-failure score, thymosin alpha‑1 use was linked to a higher chance of not recovering.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
IncreaseNon-recovery rate in patients with SOFA score of 2 or more
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Patients not treated with Tα1
Outcome group
Mortality · Infection
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Measurements
OR
2 ratio
SOFA >=2
Source sentences
Summary
An increased risk of non-recovery rate associated with Tα1 use was observed in the patient subgroups with maximum sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores ≥2 (OR 2.0, 95%CI 1.4-2.9, p = 0.024), a record of ICU admission (OR 5.4, 95%CI 2.1-14.0, p p = 0.046).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We performed a multicenter cohort study in five tertiary hospitals in the Hubei province of China between December 2019 and March 2020.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3440874408
09HumanObservational studyEfficacy outcome
In the subgroup with a record of ICU admission, Tα1 use was associated with a higher non-recovery rate (OR 5.4, 95% CI 2.1-14.0).
In plain wordsIn COVID-19 patients who went to intensive care, thymosin alpha‑1 use was linked to a higher chance of not recovering.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
IncreaseNon-recovery rate in patients with a record of ICU admission
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Patients not treated with Tα1
Outcome group
Mortality · Infection
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Measurements
OR
5.4 ratio
ICU admission
Source sentences
Summary
An increased risk of non-recovery rate associated with Tα1 use was observed in the patient subgroups with maximum sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores ≥2 (OR 2.0, 95%CI 1.4-2.9, p = 0.024), a record of ICU admission (OR 5.4, 95%CI 2.1-14.0, p p = 0.046).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We performed a multicenter cohort study in five tertiary hospitals in the Hubei province of China between December 2019 and March 2020.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3440874409
10HumanObservational studyEfficacy outcome
In the subgroup with lower PaO2/FiO2 values, Tα1 use was associated with a higher non-recovery rate (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1-3.4).
In plain wordsIn COVID-19 patients with poorer blood oxygen levels, thymosin alpha‑1 use was linked to a higher chance of not recovering.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
IncreaseNon-recovery rate in patients with lower PaO2/FiO2
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Patients not treated with Tα1
Outcome group
Mortality · Infection
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Measurements
OR
1.9 ratio
lower PaO2/FiO2
Source sentences
Summary
An increased risk of non-recovery rate associated with Tα1 use was observed in the patient subgroups with maximum sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores ≥2 (OR 2.0, 95%CI 1.4-2.9, p = 0.024), a record of ICU admission (OR 5.4, 95%CI 2.1-14.0, p p = 0.046).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We performed a multicenter cohort study in five tertiary hospitals in the Hubei province of China between December 2019 and March 2020.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3440874410
11HumanObservational studyEfficacy outcome
In patients with COVID-19, later initiation of Tα1 was associated with a higher non-recovery rate.
In plain wordsIn people with COVID-19, starting thymosin alpha‑1 later was linked to a higher chance of not recovering.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
IncreaseTiming of Tα1 initiation and non-recovery rate
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Patients not treated with Tα1
Outcome group
Mortality · Infection
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
Furthermore, later initiation of Tα1 use was associated with a higher non-recovery rate.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We performed a multicenter cohort study in five tertiary hospitals in the Hubei province of China between December 2019 and March 2020.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3440874411

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Registered trials1

Trials this study reports on, or that list this study as a reference. Registry data from ClinicalTrials.gov.

1 trial · source ClinicalTrials.gov (opens in a new tab)

Status unknownPhase 4NCT06178146

Thymosin Alpha-1 for irAE Secondary to ICIs

Jun Wangn = 401 Sept 2023 to est. Apr 2025

IrAE

Trial page ClinicalTrials.govUpdated 20 Dec 2023

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Version 3Current
10 Oct 2026, 08:55 UTC
Study results updated
Version 2
9 Oct 2026, 03:03 UTC
Study data updated · source update from Europe PMC
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 03:02 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

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