Question

In the 1950’s a sleeping aid called Thalodamide was in use but unfortunately, when used by some pregnant women, cause significant birth defects in peripheral limb development of fetuses. It was realized later the mechanism of Thalodamide and now used for the treatment of some cancers. What is the rationale for the use of Thalodamide in cancer treatment?

Answer 1

Use of Thalodamide in cancer treatment:

Thalidomide,an oral agent with antiangiogenic and immunomodulatory properties,is being investigated extensively in the management of advanced cancer.Thalidomide is a derivative of glutamic acid that exists as an equal mixture of enantiomers which rapidly interconvert at physiological pH 4 Thalidomide is poorly soluble in water and thus no parenteral preparation is available.

thalidomide (Thalomid) can be used for treating:

• Skin lesions caused by leprosy (erythema nodosum leprosum)
• Multiple myeloma.
• It has been under investigation for use in various cancer conditions such as: multiple myeloma, renal cell carcinoma, glioblastoma multiforme and Waldenströms macroglobulinemia.