Thymosin Alpha-1

Enhancing Immune Surveillance

Tumors often develop mechanisms to evade detection and destruction by the host immune system. Thymosin Alpha-1 ($\text{T}\alpha1$) is a naturally occurring thymic peptide that has shown significant promise in preclinical and clinical studies for its ability to restore and enhance immune function, making cancer cells visible to the immune system once again.

Key mechanisms of enhanced immune surveillance include:

• MHC Expression: $\text{T}\alpha1$ actively increases the expression of Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) Class I and Class II markers on the surface of various cell types, including cancer cells. These markers are critical for antigen presentation, which helps T-cells identify and recognize cancer-associated antigens.
• Dendritic Cell Maturation: The peptide promotes the maturation, migration, and function of Dendritic Cells (DCs), which are essential antigen-presenting cells that initiate adaptive immune responses against tumors.
• Cytokine Regulation: $\text{T}\alpha1$ modulates the production of critical cytokines, typically promoting a shift towards a $\text{Th}1$-type response, characterized by the release of interferon-gamma ($\text{IFN-}\gamma$) and interleukin-2 ($\text{IL-}2$), which are pivotal for effective anti-tumor immunity.

Chemotherapy Synergy

Research studies have demonstrated that combining $\text{T}\alpha1$ with conventional chemotherapy agents can lead to improved therapeutic outcomes by mitigating chemotherapy-induced immunosuppression and synergistically boosting immune function.

For example, studies involving melanoma models show that combining $\text{T}\alpha1$ with drugs like dacarbazine significantly improves overall survival rates. This synergistic effect is thought to be a result of $\text{T}\alpha1$ protecting immune cells from chemotherapy damage while simultaneously amplifying the immune response to dying tumor cells.

Anti-Proliferative Properties

Beyond its primary role as an immunomodulator, $\text{T}\alpha1$ has demonstrated direct anti-proliferative properties against certain cancer cell lines.

In studies focusing on Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), specifically the A549 cell line, $\text{T}\alpha1$ exposure resulted in:

• Slowing Cell Growth: Direct inhibition of proliferation, leading to a reduced tumor burden in in vitro and in vivo models.
• Inhibition of Migration and Invasion: The peptide was shown to impede cell migration and invasion capabilities, suggesting a potential role in reducing metastasis.
• Induction of Apoptosis: $\text{T}\alpha1$ can modulate pathways involved in programmed cell death, promoting apoptosis in malignant cells.

These direct effects suggest that $\text{T}\alpha1$ can act as a multi-modal agent, enhancing the immune system's ability to fight cancer while also directly impeding tumor progression.

Clinical Research and Applications

The therapeutic potential of $\text{T}\alpha1$ is being actively explored across a range of oncological settings. Due to its excellent safety profile, it is being investigated as a key component in combination therapies.

Cancer Type

Research Focus

Status (Example)

Melanoma

Adjuvant therapy, combination with IL-2

Phase III trials complete, regulatory approval in some regions

Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)

Post-resection adjuvant treatment

Ongoing clinical trials in Asia

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

Combination with chemotherapy/radiotherapy

Preclinical and early-phase clinical data

Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC)

Immunological enhancement

Investigational

Further clinical studies are required to fully elucidate the optimal dosing, timing, and combination partners for $\text{T}\alpha1$ in diverse cancer populations. A key area of future research involves its combination with modern checkpoint inhibitors to overcome resistance and improve patient responses.

Product Specifications

This high-quality $\text{T}\alpha1$ research material is prepared for use in demanding laboratory and preclinical studies.

General Characteristics

Attribute

Specification

Purity

High Purity Research Grade ($\geq 98%$ by HPLC)

Formulation

Lyophilized powder

Molecular Formula

$\text{C}{129}\text{H}{215}\text{N}{39}\text{O}{37}\text{S}$

Molecular Weight

3108.3 g/mol

CAS Number

62939-55-3

Source

Synthetic

Handling and Storage

Condition

Requirement

Preservation

Lyophilized via cryodesiccation for maximum stability

Short-Term Storage (Powder)

$-20^{\circ}\text{C}$ to $-80^{\circ}\text{C}$

Long-Term Storage (Powder)

$\leq -80^{\circ}\text{C}$ is recommended

Reconstitution

Sterile water or appropriate buffer

Storage After Reconstitution

$4^{\circ}\text{C}$ for up to one week

Ordering Information

Please contact our sales department for pricing and bulk order inquiries. The Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and Certificate of Analysis (CoA) are available upon request to ensure compliance with research protocols.

For further information on research-grade $\text{T}\alpha1$ availability, please consult the product inventory ledger: File.

Note: This product is intended For Research Use Only and not for human or veterinary use. All researchers should follow appropriate laboratory safety protocols.

Future Directions in $\text{T}\alpha1$ Research

Ongoing research is focused on translating the promising preclinical data into effective patient therapies. Specific areas of investigation include:

• Epigenetic Modulation: Exploring $\text{T}\alpha1$'s role in regulating gene expression in immune and cancer cells.
• Combination with Checkpoint Inhibitors: Determining optimal synergistic combinations with agents like anti-PD-1 or anti-CTLA-4 antibodies.
• Personalized Medicine: Identifying biomarkers that predict which cancer patients are most likely to benefit from $\text{T}\alpha1$ treatment.

We invite research partners to join us at the upcoming Oncology & Immunology Summit on Date at the Place convention center. Register for the event here: Calendar event

For technical inquiries, please contact Dr. Person at the Research & Development Department.