title: [Thalidomide in oncological and hematological diseases].
abstract: Thalidomide is a drug with bad reputation from the 1960's as it appeared to be teratogenic by causing foetal anomalies. However, in the beginning of 1990s it was shown very antiangiogenic. Its immunological effects were known already from earlier studies. Nowadays its use is accepted in myeloma therapy. It is also used in many study protocols, e.g. in pediatric patients with brainstem tumors. Thalidomide should be used very cautiously for fertile patients because of its teratogenity. Other adverse effects are tiredness, obstipation, thrombosis, and polyneuropathy.
authors.affiliation: HYKS, lasten veri- ja syöpätautien sekä kantasolusiirtoyksikkö, Lasten ja nuorten sairaala, PL 281, 0029 HUS.
authors.forename: Sanna-Maria
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Kivivuori
authors.forename: Pekka
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Anttila
mesh_terms: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006402:Hematologic Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000188:drug therapy; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D013723:Teratogens; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D013723:Teratogens; D013792:Thalidomide