Thalidomide: from tragedy to promise

Publication

Thalidomide: from tragedy to promise

Journal Paper/Review - Feb 8, 2003

von Moos Roger, Stolz Rahel, Cerny Thomas, Gillessen Sommer Silke

Citation

von Moos R, Stolz R, Cerny T, Gillessen Sommer S. Thalidomide: from tragedy to promise. Swiss medical weekly : official journal of the Swiss Society of Infectious Diseases, the Swiss Society of Internal Medicine, the Swiss Society of Pneumology 2003; 133:77-87.

Type

Journal Paper/Review (English)

Journal

Swiss medical weekly : official journal of the Swiss Society of Infectious Diseases, the Swiss Society of Internal Medicine, the Swiss Society of Pneumology 2003; 133

Publication Date

Feb 8, 2003

Issn Print

1424-7860

Pages

77-87

Brief description/objective

Thalidomide is an immunomodulatory and antiangiogenic drug. Although the exact mechanism of action is not fully understood, it has been shown to be active in a variety of diseases. There are multiple trials going on to evaluate the optimal dose of thalidomide and the importance of combining thalidomide with other drugs. This review introduces the properties and putative mechanism of action of thalidomide and summarizes the most important clinical trials with this biological modifier.