title: [Immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs)].
abstract: Immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) are a new class of anti-inflammatory and antineoplastic agents that have structural and functional similarities with their prototype compound, thalidomide. Although thalidomide and its derivatives, lenalidomide and pomalidomide, are widely used as an essential component in the treatment of selected hematologic neoplasms including multiple myeloma, the precise mechanisms by which these agents exert anti-tumor effects have yet to be clarified. Recently, a component of E3 ubiquitin ligase complex, cereblon (CRBN), has been identified as a direct molecular target for anti-neoplastic activities of IMiDs. CRBN has also been shown to be involved in IMiDs-mediated T-cell co-stimulation and cytokine production. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the CRBN-related molecular pathways that are essential for antitumor and immunomodulatory activities of IMiDs.
authors.forename: Kumi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Oshima
authors.forename: Tatsuo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ichinohe
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077269:Lenalidomide; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000188:drug therapy; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D013792:Thalidomide; D000077269:Lenalidomide