LL-37 (cathelicidin)
Sleep & Recovery · Antimicrobial peptide
Tier D
Bottom line
Read Off Label grades LL-37 (cathelicidin) as D (3.3/10) based on preclinical evidence, unclear benefit magnitude, and a unclear-risk safety profile.
Used by some protocols targeting biofilm-associated chronic infections (CIRS/Lyme communities).
Studied, labeled, or reported-use context: No established human dosing protocol — Not FDA-approved; research peptide; not individualized guidance.
Frontier potential — editorial judgment, not evidence
This is a separate axis from the grade above. It asks a different question: if this worked in humans, how much would it matter? It is our judgment, it is not part of the composite score, and it cannot raise a grade. A high number here is a statement about the idea, not about whether it works or whether anyone should take it.
What the ceiling rests on
A genuine component of human innate immunity with broad antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activity in vitro, and a plausible role in wound healing.
Why it may not get there
LL-37 is strongly context-dependent in the body and has been implicated as a driver of pathology in psoriasis, rosacea, and lupus, where it promotes autoimmune interferon responses. Administering more of it is not obviously desirable. No human trials support supplemental use, and injecting an endogenous immune peptide is exactly the situation where preclinical enthusiasm most often reverses.
What would change this A first-in-human safety study clarifying the autoimmunity risk.
What the evidence says
Used by some protocols targeting biofilm-associated chronic infections (CIRS/Lyme communities). Essentially no clinical trial safety data in humans for exogenous administration. Speculative application.
Mechanism
Endogenous cationic host-defense peptide from cathelicidin; broad antimicrobial activity; immunomodulatory and wound healing effects; VDR-regulated
Studied, labeled, or reported dose & route
No established human dosing protocol
This records doses and routes described in studies, approved labeling, clinical practice, or documented use. It is not individualized guidance and does not establish safety; context changes with indication, formulation, health history, monitoring, and other medicines.
Citations
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Common questions
- What does the evidence show about LL-37 (cathelicidin)'s effects?
- Read Off Label rates the evidence for LL-37 (cathelicidin) as Preclinical and the benefit magnitude as unclear, producing an overall grade of D (3.3/10). Used by some protocols targeting biofilm-associated chronic infections (CIRS/Lyme communities).
- What safety findings are reported for LL-37 (cathelicidin)?
- LL-37 (cathelicidin) has a unclear risk profile in the database. Unknown (injection not established; pro-inflammatory effects possible at high local concentrations; theoretical autoimmune concerns) Legal status: Not FDA-approved; research peptide.
- What doses or routes are reported for LL-37 (cathelicidin)?
- No established human dosing protocol This is context from studies, approved labeling, clinical practice, or documented use; it is not individualized guidance and does not establish safety.
- How does LL-37 (cathelicidin) work?
- Endogenous cationic host-defense peptide from cathelicidin; broad antimicrobial activity; immunomodulatory and wound healing effects; VDR-regulated
This is an independent synthesis of published research by a non-clinician. Scores are opinions supported by citations, not prescriptions. See the full disclaimer and methodology for how this score was produced and what it does and doesn't mean.