4 Thalidomide and Congeners as Anti-inflammatory Agents

Abstract

This chapter discusses the findings on new indications for the “classical drug” thalidomide that are different from its original use as a sedative-hypnotic drug as well as on those of a few “novel analogs” that may be superior to thalidomide in certain respects. The teratogenicity of thalidomide, and the same is true for any other teratogen, depends on several factors, the most important of which seem to be administration in the sensitive period (i.e., the organogenesis), the species, the genotype of the recipient, the dose size, the route of administration, and possibly other environmental conditions. The teratogenic effect of thalidomide has provided a considerable stimulus for research into the biochemical reactions and the possible mechanism of action of the drug. Many hypothetical explanations of thalidomide's mechanism of action on a molecular basis have been raised, but most of them have remained speculative or have gained no experimental support. Congenital malformations have not been restricted to the action only of thalidomide. Many other physical and chemical agents have been known for a long time to exert similar effects.