Thymosin α1 in melanoma: from the clinical trial setting to the daily practice and beyond.
Thymosin α1 (Tα1) is an immunomodulatory peptide released by the thymus gland in mammals. It was first described in 1977 as a potential agent for the treatment of immune deficiencies and cancer. Among solid tumors, a number of clinical trials have investigated the activity of Tα1 in melanoma. In particular, a large randomized phase II trial that evaluated the safety and efficacy of combining Tα1 with dacarbazine and interferon alpha in metastatic melanoma patients provided the rationale for further clinical applications. The main findings emerging from clinical trials and that support the therapeutic use of Tα1 in human melanoma are summarized and discussed.
Department of Oncology, Division of Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, University Hospital of Siena, Istituto Toscano Tumori, Siena, Italy.
Riccardo
R
Danielli
Ester
E
Fonsatti
Luana
L
Calabrò
Anna Maria
AM
Di Giacomo
Michele
M
Maio
D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017322:Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic; D003606:Dacarbazine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007167:Immunotherapy; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013947:Thymosin / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D013947:Thymosin; D003606:Dacarbazine