title: A Brighter Side to Thalidomide: Its Potential Use in Immunological Disorders.
abstract: Thalidomide and its derivatives are immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) known for their sedative, teratogenic, anti-angiogenic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Commonly used in the treatment of cancers such as multiple myeloma and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), IMiDs have also been used in the treatment of an inflammatory skin pathology associated with Hansen's disease/leprosy. They have also shown promise in the treatment of autoimmune disorders including systemic lupus erythmatosus (SLE) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Recent structural and experimental observations have revolutionized our understanding of these properties by revealing the fundamental molecular events underpinning IMiD activity. We review these findings, their relevance to IMiD therapy in immunological disorders, and discuss how further research might unlock the vast clinical potential of these compounds.
authors.affiliation: Cardiff Institute of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Millrine
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Immune Regulation, World Premier Immunology Frontier Research Centre (IFReC), Osaka University, 565-0871, Japan. Electronic address: kishimoto@ifrec.osaka-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Tadamitsu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kishimoto
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007918:Leprosy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D008958:Models, Molecular; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D013792:Thalidomide
keywords: IMiD; cereblon; lenalidomide; thalidomide