The right immune-modulation at the right time: thymosin α1 for prevention of severe COVID-19 in cancer patients

Bersanelli, Melissa; Giannarelli, Diana; Leonetti, Alessandro; Buti, Sebastiano; Tiseo, Marcello; Nouvenne, Antonio; Ticinesi, Andrea; Meschi, Tiziana; Procopio, Giuseppe; Danielli, Riccardo

We presented the rationale for the use of thymosin α1 as prophylaxis of severe COVID-19 in cancer patients undergoing active treatment, constituting the background for the PROTHYMOS study, a prospective, multicenter, open-label, Phase II randomized study, currently in its start-up phase (Eudract no. 2020-006020-13). We aim to offer new hope for this incurable disease, especially to frail patient population, such as patients with cancer. The hypothesis of an effective prophylactic approach to COVID-19 would have immediate clinical relevance, especially given the lack of curative approaches. Moreover, in the ‘COVID-19 vaccine race era’ both clinical and biological results coming from the PROTHYMOS trials could even support the rationale for future combinatorial approaches, trying to rise vaccine efficacy in frail individuals.