The present invention relates to novel Prothymosin Alpha (ProTα) variants that are capable of inducing cell-mediated immune responses. These variants lack a nuclear localization signal and the proliferative oncogenic activity previously attributed to ProTα. The variants of the invention are used in methods of treating, for example, viral infections, bacterial infections, fungal infections, cancer, ischemia and myeloproliferative blood disorders. Administration of a ProTα variant to a subject in a therapeutically effective amount treats the infection or disease.
