- Record: found
- Abstract: not found
- Article: not found
Thalidomide in cancer medicine
August 2004
August 2004
Read this article at
There is no author summary for this article yet. Authors can add summaries to their articles on ScienceOpen to make them more accessible to a non-specialist audience.
Abstract
Thalidomide, an oral agent with antiangiogenic and immunomodulatory properties, is
being investigated extensively in the management of advanced cancer. Multiple studies
with large numbers of patients have confirmed that this drug has significant activity
in multiple myeloma. Some patients with myelofibrosis or myeodysplatic syndromes may
reduce their need for transfusions after thalidomide treatment. The activity of thalidomide
in solid tumors is less prominent. Studies in Kaposi's sarcoma, malignant melanoma,
renal cell carcinoma and prostate cancer appear more promising especially when thalidomide
is combined with biological agents or with chemotherapy. Limited activity was demonstrated
in patients with glioma, while thalidomide appears to be inactive in patients with
head and neck cancer, breast or ovarian cancer.
Copyright 2004 European Society for Medical Oncology