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Thalidomide and Analogs

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Drug Management of Prostate Cancer

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Abstract

Thalidomide (Thalomid®), originally marketed as a sedative in Europe in the 1950s but withdrawn after teratogenicity was observed, has experienced a resurgence of interest due to its apparent anti-angiogenic and immunomodulatory properties. Thalidomide is currently in clinical testing for the treatment of prostate cancer. Numerous studies that have been completed, or are currently ongoing, have demonstrated promising activity. Thalidomide has been tested as a single agent and in combination with both targeted agents, such as bevacizumab, and traditional cytotoxic drugs, such as paclitaxel and docetaxel, in the majority of the studies. A range of thalidomide analogs have been generated in an effort to improve the clinical activity while reducing the side effect profile. Lenalidomide (Revlimid™), an immunomodulatory analog of thalidomide, has entered clinical trials in prostate cancer and is being tested in many of the same combinations. This chapter reviews the clinical trials of thalidomide and lenalidomide initiated or completed to date, including dosing, clinical response, and toxicity.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Medical Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA

    William D. Figg

Authors
  1. Erin R. Gardner
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  2. Giuseppe Di Lorenzo
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  3. William D. Figg
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Correspondence to William D. Figg .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Medical Oncology Branch, NIH National Cancer Institute, Rockville Pike 9000, Bethesda, 20892, Maryland, USA

    William D. Figg

  2. Medical Oncology Branch, NIH National Cancer Institute, Rockville Pike 9000, Bethesda, 20892, Maryland, USA

    Cindy H. Chau

  3. School of Medicine, Dept. Urology, University of California, San Francisco, Divisadero Street 1600, San Francisco, 94115, California, USA

    Eric J. Small

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Gardner, E.R., Di Lorenzo, G., Figg, W.D. (2010). Thalidomide and Analogs. In: Figg, W., Chau, C., Small, E. (eds) Drug Management of Prostate Cancer. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60327-829-4_19

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60327-829-4_19

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