Related pages Drug Information Summaries 1 Approval Process for New Cancer Treatments 2 Access to Investigational Drugs 3

This page contains brief information about thalidomide and a collection of links to more information about the use of this drug, related news and research results, and ongoing clinical trials.

US Brand Name(s):		Synovir
		Thalomid
FDA Approved:		Yes

Thalidomide is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat a painful skin disease related to leprosy. It is also approved to treat multiple myeloma in patients who have just been diagnosed with the disease. It is only available as part of a special program called S.T.E.P.S. Thalidomide is used together with another drug called dexamethasone.

Thalidomide is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.

FDA Approval for Thalidomide ⁴ - Information from the FDA about the approval of this drug and the clinical trials that led to the approval.

Definition from the NCI Drug Dictionary ⁵ - Detailed scientific definition and other names for this drug.

Clinical Trial Results: Thalidomide a Beneficial Option for Elderly Multiple Myeloma Patients (02/12/2008) ⁶ - Important clinical trial results for this drug, background information, and how the trial was done.

Clinical Trial Results: Lower Dose of Thalidomide May Be Just as Effective in Multiple Myeloma (06/07/2006) ⁷ - Important clinical trial results for this drug, background information, and how the trial was done.

Clinical Trial Results: Thalidomide Helps Elderly Multiple Myeloma Patients to Live Longer (06/05/2006 ) ⁸ - Important clinical trial results for this drug, background information, and how the trial was done.

Clinical Trial Results: Thalidomide Beneficial for Older Myeloma Patients (03/27/2006) ⁹ - Important clinical trial results for this drug, background information, and how the trial was done.

Clinical Trial Results: Thalidomide Effective in Multiple Myeloma (03/15/2006) ¹⁰ - Important clinical trial results for this drug, background information, and how the trial was done.

Clinical Trial Results: Thalidomide and Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma (02/15/2006) ¹¹ - Important clinical trial results for this drug, background information, and how the trial was done.

Bevacizumab May Increase Blood Clot Risk (11/18/2008) ¹² - Information about the use of this drug to treat cancer.

MedlinePlus Information on Thalidomide ¹³ - A lay language summary of important information about this drug that may include the following:

• warnings about this drug,
• what this drug is used for and how it is used,
• what you should tell your doctor before using this drug,
• what you should know about this drug before using it,
• other drugs that may interact with this drug, and
• possible side effects.

Drugs are often studied to find out if they can help treat or prevent conditions other than the ones they are approved for. This NLM patient information sheet applies only to approved uses of the drug. However, much of the information may also apply to unapproved uses that are being studied.

Clinical Trials for Thalidomide ¹⁴ - Check for trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry now accepting patients.

Glossary Terms

A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is a cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is a cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is a cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system. Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord. Also called malignancy.

A synthetic steroid (similar to steroid hormones produced naturally in the adrenal gland). Dexamethasone is used to treat leukemia and lymphoma and may be used to treat some of the problems caused by other cancers and their treatment.

The process of identifying a disease, such as cancer, from its signs and symptoms.

An agency in the U.S. federal government whose mission is to protect public health by making sure that food, cosmetics, and nutritional supplements are safe to use and truthfully labeled. The Food and Drug Administration also makes sure that drugs, medical devices, and equipment are safe and effective, and that blood for transfusions and transplant tissue are safe. Also called FDA.

A type of cancer that begins in plasma cells (white blood cells that produce antibodies). Also called Kahler disease, myelomatosis, and plasma cell myeloma.