Title:Recent Advances in the Development of Thalidomide-Related Compounds
as Anticancer Drugs
Volume: 29
Issue: 1
Author(s): Alexia Barbarossa, Domenico Iacopetta, Maria Stefania Sinicropi, Carlo Franchini and Alessia Carocci*
Affiliation:
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70126 Bari,Italy
Keywords:
Thalidomide, antiangiogenics, immunomodulatory properties, anticancer drugs, thalidomide analogues, repositioning.
Abstract: Introduction: Thalidomide is an old well-known drug firstly used as morning sickness relief
in pregnant women and then withdrawn from the market due to its severe side effects on fetal normal
development. However, over the last few decades, the interest in this old drug has been renewed because
of its efficacy in several important disorders as, for instance, multiple myeloma, breast cancer,
and HIV-related diseases due to its antiangiogenic and immunomodulatory properties. Unfortunately,
even in these cases, many after effects as deep vein thrombosis, peripheral neuropathy, constipation,
somnolence, pyrexia, pain, and teratogenicity have been reported showing the requirement of careful
and monitored use. For this reason, research efforts are geared toward the synthesis and optimization of
new thalidomide analogues lacking in toxic effects, able to erase these limits and improve the pharmacological
profile.
Aims: This review aims to examine the state-of-the-art concerning the current studies on thalidomide
and its analogues towards cancer diseases focusing the attention on the possible mechanisms of action
involved and the lack of toxicity.
Conclusion: In the light of the collected data, thalidomide analogues and their ongoing optimization
could lead, in the future, to the realization of a promising therapeutic alternative for fighting cancer.
