Therapeutic applications of thymosin peptides: a patent landscape 2018-present

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Thymosins are small proteins found mainly in the thymus. They are involved in several biological processes, including immunoregulation, angiogenesis, and anti-inflammatory activity. Due to these multiple activities, thymosins are widely used as therapeutics. In fact, these peptides have shown interesting results in the treatment of eye disorders, anticancer therapy, and dysregulated immune disorders.

Area covered

We analyzed the thymosins therapeutic patent landscape describing the most significant patents published after 2018 and originally written in English, classified according to the different type of functions and diseases. We searched ‘Thymosin’ on Patentscope and Espacenet

Expert opinion

Thymalfasin (Zadaxin) is the only FDA-approved thymosine-based drug used to treat chronic hepatitis B and C and as a chemotherapy inducer. This outcome demonstrates how thymosins can be exploited as therapeutics, especially in immunological and anti-cancer therapies. However, the development of modified thymosins could expand their therapeutic interest and application in different diseases. In fact, by chemical modifications, it is possible to increase proteolytic stability in the biological environment, enhance cell permeability, and stabilize the secondary structure of the peptide. Finally, the development of shorter sequences could reduce the cost and production time of these thymosin-based drugs.

KEYWORDS:

• Thymosin α1
• thymosin β4
• therapeutic
• immunoregulation
• eye disorders

Article highlights

• Thymosins play a key role in different biological processes.

• Thymosins α1 and β4 are the most widely used and studied.

• Thymosins are potential therapeutics for the treatment of eye disorders.

• Thymosins have shown interesting results in anticancer therapy and treatment of dysregulated immune disorders.

• Chemical modifications on thymosins could increase the efficacy of these molecules.

Declaration of interests

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Author contribution statement

All authors contributed to search the literature and write the manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was funded by the “Progetto Ministeriale Dipartimenti di Eccellenza 2018-2022” [58503_DIPECC-C.U.P.B96C17000200008].