Thymalfasin for Immune Recovery in Adults With Sepsis

Sepsis is a life-threatening illness caused by an abnormal response to infection. Some people with sepsis have reduced immune function, which may make recovery more difficult. This study will examine whether adding thymalfasin, also called thymosin alpha-1, to usual sepsis care improves recovery of immune function. The study will enroll 60 adults with sepsis and evidence of reduced immune function at Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University. Participants will be assigned by chance to one of two groups. Thirty participants will receive usual care plus a 1.6 mg thymalfasin injection under the skin twice daily for 7 days. Thirty participants will receive usual care alone, without study-drug or placebo injections. Participants and treating clinicians will know which treatment is given, but laboratory staff measuring immune outcomes will not know the assigned group. The main outcome is the change in monocyte HLA-DR expression, a blood marker of immune function, between baseline and Day 7. Other assessments include immune cells, organ function, organ support, infections, survival, and safety. Scheduled follow-up continues through Day 90. The study is designed primarily to assess an immune marker; it is not sized to establish a definitive survival benefit.