Thalidomide and Its Analogs as Anticancer Agents

Thalidomide has reemerged as a promising anticancer and anti-inflammatory drug despite its devastating congenital birth defects. Many thalidomide derivatives with enhanced antiangiogenic and immunomodulatory effects or greater cytokine inhibition accompanied by less adverse toxicities than the parent drug have been developed. The mechanisms of action of thalidomide and its analogs are complex and not yet fully understood, but studies indicate that their antiangiogenic and immunomodulatory effects play important roles. Thalidomide and lenalidomide have been approved for the treatment of multiple myeloma and myelodysplastic syndrome. The powerful antiangiogenic, anti-inflammatory, and apoptotic effects mean that thalidomide and its immunomodulatory derivatives will continue to be explored in the treatment of a variety of cancers and inflammatory diseases.