Thymogen

clinical trials

Also known as: Glutamyl-Tryptophan, Glutoxim analog

**Mechanism of Action** Thymogen (glutamyl-tryptophan) is a synthetic dipeptide immunomodulator that acts primarily by modulating T-cell differentiation and function. It binds to specific receptors on thymic epithelial cells and lymphocytes, enhancing the maturation of T-helper (CD4+) and cytotoxic T-cell (CD8+) subsets. The peptide also upregulates interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) production while reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), thereby restoring immune homeostasis in states of dysregulation, such as chronic infection or secondary immunodeficiency. **Key Research Findings** Clinical trials (primarily in Eastern Europe) have demonstrated Thymogen’s efficacy in reducing the duration and severity of recurrent respiratory infections, herpesvirus reactivation, and postoperative immune suppression. A 2020 randomized trial reported a 40% reduction in infection recurrence rates in patients with secondary immunodeficiency. Preclinical studies indicate enhanced phagocytic activity and improved antibody responses to vaccination. However, most evidence is derived from small, open-label studies, and independent replication in larger, blinded trials remains limited. **Clinical Relevance** Thymogen is approved in Russia and several CIS countries as an adjunctive therapy for infectious diseases, including chronic bronchitis, tuberculosis, and viral hepatitis. It is also used to mitigate chemotherapy-induced immunosuppression. Despite its regional acceptance, the peptide lacks FDA or EMA approval, and its clinical utility outside Eastern Europe remains unestablished due to insufficient high-quality, multicenter trials. For research purposes only — not medical advice.

Key data

Category
Immune Modulation
Molecular weight
333.34 g/mol
Molecular formula
C16H19N3O5
CAS number
38101-59-6
Administration
intranasal, intramuscular
Research status
clinical trials
References
88
Tags
thymic, dipeptide, immunostimulant

Research & studies

Hepatoprotective Effects of Thymogen Analogues in Hydrazine Hepatopathy in Rats
Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2025 · PubMed

Hydrazine injection decreased catalase activity and increased MDA concentration.; Lower doses of peptides inhibited lipid peroxidation and stimulated hepatocyte regeneration.; Thymogen analogue with D-Ala at the C-terminus was the most effective.; Higher doses of thymogen and its analogues did not further improve hepatoprotective activity.

The First Reciprocal Activities of Chiral Peptide Pharmaceuticals: Thymogen and Thymodepressin, as Examples
International journal of molecular sciences · 2024 · PubMed

Thymogen (L-Glu-L-Trp) acts as an immunostimulant, while Thymodepressin (D-Glu(D-Trp)) acts as an immunosuppressor, demonstrating opposite biological activities.; The enantiomeric drugs regulate homeostasis in an up-and-down manner, showing the functional impact of chirality.; Manipulating peptide chirality offers a strategy to enhance resistance to proteolysis and improve biomolecular interactions.; This study provides the first examples of reciprocal activity between chiral peptide pharmaceuticals.

Reparative and Antioxidant Effects of New Analogues of Immunomodulator Thymogen in Experimental Model of Liver Damage
Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2023 · PubMed

Carbon tetrachloride caused fat degeneration, decreased catalase activity, and increased malondialdehyde.; Peptides suppressed oxidative peroxidation and stimulated reparative regeneration of hepatocytes.; Thymogen analogues produced more pronounced hepatotropic and antioxidant effects than Thymogen.; Adding D-Ala to the C-end of the molecule yielded the highest efficiency.

[Endoscopic and morphometric analysis of the reduction of acute inflammatory process in the gastric mucosa after therapy with Regasthym Gastro]
Terapevticheskii arkhiv · 2023 · PubMed
The Effect of Drugs with α-Glutamyl-Tryptophan for Cytokine Secretion and Level of Surface Molecule ICAM-1 In Vitro
Cell and tissue biology · 2023 · PubMed
[Repair stimulator alpha-glutamyl-tryptophan in the complex therapy of chronic atrophic gastritis: results of histological examination]
Arkhiv patologii · 2023 · PubMed
Peptides Regulating Proliferative Activity and Inflammatory Pathways in the Monocyte/Macrophage THP-1 Cell Line
International journal of molecular sciences · 2022 · PubMed
Synthetic and natural immunomodulators acting as interferon inducers
Current pharmaceutical design · 2009 · PubMed

Frequently asked questions

What is Thymogen?

**Mechanism of Action** Thymogen (glutamyl-tryptophan) is a synthetic dipeptide immunomodulator that acts primarily by modulating T-cell differentiation and function. It binds to specific receptors on thymic epithelial cells and lymphocytes, enhancing the maturation of T-helper (CD4+) and cytotoxic T-cell (CD8+) subset

How does Thymogen work?

Synthetic dipeptide (Glu-Trp) immunomodulator used in Eastern Europe to restore immune balance during infection and immunodeficiency.

What is the research status of Thymogen?

Thymogen is currently classified as clinical trials, with 88 research references on record. This is for research purposes only and is not medical advice.

What is the molecular weight of Thymogen?

Thymogen has a molecular weight of approximately 333.34 g/mol (formula C16H19N3O5).

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