Thalidomide and its dermatologic uses.
Thalidomide is a beneficial agent for treating a variety of refractory dermatologic disorders including erythema nodosom leprosum, lupus erythematosus, prurigo nodularis, actinic prurigo, pyoderma gangrenosum and aphthous stomatitis. Two thalidomide analogues, lenalidomide and CC-4047, are considerably more potent with decreased side effects when compared to thalidomide. They are currently undergoing trials and show promise, as they have increased immunomodulatory and anti-angiogenic activity. This category of medication and its use will be reviewed.
Paghdal
Kapila V
KV
Department of Dermatology, New Jersey Medical School, 185 South Orange Avenue, Newark, New Jersey 07103, USA. roschwar@cal.berkeley.edu
Schwartz
Robert
R
D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D013792:Thalidomide