Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Thalidomide / Toxicity
DRUGS THAT INTEREFERE WITH ANGIOGENESIS: THALIDOMIDE
Toxicity
-
relatively few side effects in adult males and non-pregnant females, other than nausea, rashes and peripheral neuropathy (loss of feeling and sensation in the extremities), constipation
-
increased risk of deep vein thrombosis, particularly in multiple myeloma patients (most patients are placed on WARFARIN when THALIDOMIDE treatment is initiated)
- severe teratogenic effects occur 3-4 weeks postconception, in both children and grandchildren of thalidomide patients
- defects include malformed intestines, hearing defects, absent ears, ocular and renal anomalies and phocomelia
- ~40% of THALIDOMIDE victims die within a year of birth - there are ~5,000-20,000 survivors world-wide, and new cases occur every year
- prescription requires participation by the doctor and patient in an FDA oversight program