Immune & Inflammatory
Peptides modulating immune function, inflammation, and antimicrobial defense.
Clinical Overview
Immune & Inflammatory
Peptides modulating immune function, inflammation, and antimicrobial defense.
Immune and inflammatory peptides span three mechanistic categories — immunomodulators, anti-inflammatory peptides, and antimicrobial host-defense peptides. Thymosin alpha-1 has the most developed clinical evidence in this class.
Mechanism Classes
Immunomodulators
Thymosin alpha-1 is a thymic peptide that modulates T-cell maturation and immune balance. Used internationally for chronic viral infections and immune dysregulation.
Anti-inflammatory peptides
KPV is a tripeptide derived from alpha-MSH with anti-inflammatory effects, studied in inflammatory bowel disease and inflammatory skin conditions. GHK-Cu contributes broad anti-inflammatory gene-expression effects.
Antimicrobial host-defense peptides
LL-37 (cathelicidin) is a human host-defense peptide with broad-spectrum activity against bacteria, fungi, and some viruses. Clinical use remains investigational.
Regulatory Status
FDA-Approved
None FDA-approved in this category.
Investigational / Off-Label
- Thymosin Alpha-1 (US)
- KPV
- LL-37
- GHK-Cu
Thymosin alpha-1 is approved in 35+ countries (brand name Zadaxin) for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and as a vaccine adjuvant — but is not FDA-approved in the United States.
Evidence Base
Thymosin alpha-1 has FDA-submitted trials and multi-country approvals. KPV, LL-37, and GHK-Cu remain primarily preclinical or early clinical in Western medicine. No antimicrobial peptide is FDA-approved for systemic infection.
Primary-Literature References
24
Across 2 linked monographs
Prescribing Considerations
- 1Caution in patients with active autoimmune disease — immunomodulators can theoretically exacerbate autoimmunity (coordinate with rheumatology / immunology).
- 2Baseline immune workup: CBC with differential, CMP, inflammatory markers (CRP, ESR), and disease-specific markers (viral loads, autoimmune serologies) as indicated.
- 3Screen for active infections before initiating immunomodulator therapy.
- 4For LL-37 or antimicrobial peptide use, limit to well-justified cases with infectious-disease consultation.
- 5Track both objective markers and subjective clinical endpoints; recheck labs every 3–6 months on long-term therapy.
- 6Discontinue if unexpected disease flares or new autoimmune phenomena emerge.
Peptides in this category(2)
Clinical monographs for each agent — dosing ranges, safety profile, evidence, and prescribing considerations.
2 additional monographs in this category are in clinical review and will be published soon.