Thymosin beta-4 and TB-500 in tissue healing, regeneration, and musculoskeletal repair: a scoping review

Evaluation of 80 studies on thymosin β4 and TB-500. The evidence is predominantly in vitro and in animals, mostly concerns the full-length protein and hardly the fragment; human data on tendons and ligaments are largely absent.

Key points

• Of 80 included studies, most examined thymosin β4, not TB-500.
• The evidence concentrates on wound healing and vascular biology, not on tendon, ligament or muscle.
• The authors describe a clear gap between public interest and demonstrated human evidence.

Assessment

Evidence type: preclinical. Currently the most useful overview for a realistic appraisal of the data on TB-500. Profile: TB-500.