title: [Thalidomide--new prospective therapy in oncology].
abstract: Thalidomide was first produced in Germany in the 1950s. The drug was promoted as a safe sedative and was found to be useful as an antiemetic during pregnancy. In late 1960s, reports of teratogenic actions resulted in the withdrawal of thalidomide from world markets. Thalidomide has multiple actions, including anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic ones. This article reviews the pharmacology and clinical trials of the drug for the treatment of various cancers including multiple myeloma. Furthermore, in preliminary studies, thalidomide has been found to be effective in several syndromes related to advanced cancer, such as the cancer cachexia, chronic nausea and pain.
authors.affiliation: Katedry i Kliniki Alergologii i Chorób Wewnetrznych, Akademii Medycznej im. L. Rydygiera w Bydgoszczy.
authors.forename: Krzysztof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pałgan
authors.forename: Izabela
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Pałgan
mesh_terms: D000700:Analgesics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002100:Cachexia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000188:drug therapy; D009325:Nausea / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D013723:Teratogens; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D013723:Teratogens; D013792:Thalidomide