COVID-19 Drug Selection Includes Potential Benefits Of Thymosin α1

An outbreak of a novel coronavirus (COVID‐19 or 2019‐CoV) infection has posed significant threats to international health and the economy. In the absence of treatment for this virus, there is an urgent need to find alternative methods to control the spread of disease.

Among these already approved drugs candidates, Thymosin α1 (CAS NO.62304-98-7), has played an important role in enhancing the individual’s immune system, especially for health workers involved in fighting the outbreak.

Thymosin α1(Tα1) is a thymic peptide hormone and it has a peculiar ability to restore the homeostasis of the immune system.  It is was first isolated from thymic tissue in the mid‐sixties and it had gained much attention for its immunostimulatory activity.  It was chemically synthesized and used in diseases where the immune system was hindered or impaired.  Besides its role in thymocyte development, Thymosin α1 could also increase resistance to glucocorticoid‐induced death of the thymocyte. Thymosin α1 could also be used as immune enhancer to SARS patients and it was effective in controlling the spread of the disease. Methylprednisolone was often used during the current treatment of COVID‐19 and the side effect of corticoid‐induced death of thymocytes should be considered. So, it is wise to use thymosin α1 before the administration of methylprednisolone.