Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Thalidomide
DRUGS THAT INTEREFERE WITH ANGIOGENESIS: THALIDOMIDE
THALIDOMIDE is a developmental toxin whose only approved use is in the treatment of Hansen’s disease, although it has significant off-label use in AIDS treatment and in multiple myeloma. THALIDOMIDE causes severe birth defects (especially phocomelia) in the children and grandchildren of women who take the drug while pregnant. |
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in 2007 (prior to approval for use in multiple myeloma), world-wide sales of THALIDOMIDE were ~$420 million
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off-label sales represented ~90% of the total (i.e., only 10% for treatment of Hansen's disease)
- for further discussion of the controversy, see: