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Thalidomide

  • Living reference work entry
  • First Online:
Encyclopedia of Autism Spectrum Disorders

  • 37 Accesses

Synonyms

N-pthaloylglutamide

Indications

Thalidomide is a potent teratogen.

Because of observed potential to increase tumor necrosis factor alpha production in vivo and interleukin-2 and interferon gamma in vivo, thalidomide has limited utility in the dermatologic manifestations of HIV, Behcet’s disease, and graft-versus-host disease and is now being investigated for use in myelodysplastic disorders.

Mechanisms of Action

The teratogenic effect may be related to vascular disruption. As noted, it impacts immune function including increasing production of tumor necrosis factor alpha in vitro and interleukin-2 and interferon gamma in vivo.

Specific Compounds and Properties

The chemical name is N-pthaloylglutamide.

Clinical Use (Including Side Effects)

Thalidomide was initially developed in 1954 and licensed in 40 countries around the world for treatment of anxiety, insomnia, gastritis, and vomiting. It was marketed as safe for use in pregnancy. It was never approved by the Food and Drug...

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References and Reading

  • Kontogiannis, V., & Powell, R. J. (2000). Use of thalidomide in dermatologic indications. BioDrugs, 13(4), 255–265.

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  • Miller, M. T., & STromland, K. K. (2011). What can be learned from the thalidomide experience: An ophthalmologic perspective. Current Opinion in Ophthalmology, 22(5), 356–364.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rodier, P. M. (2004). Environmental causes of central nervous system maldevelopment. Pediatrics, 113, 1076–1083.

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  • Millrine, D., & Kishimoto, T. (2017). A brighter side to thalidomide: Its potential use in immunological disorders. Trends in Molecular Medicine, 23(4), 348–361. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molmed2017.02.006.Epub. PMID 28285807.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division Chief Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, University of Rochester Golisano Children’s Hospital, Rochester, NY, USA

    Susan Hyman

Authors
  1. Susan Hyman
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Susan Hyman .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Yale Child Study Center, New Haven, CT, USA

    Fred R. Volkmar

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Hyman, S. (2018). Thalidomide. In: Volkmar, F. (eds) Encyclopedia of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6435-8_41-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6435-8_41-3

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-6435-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-6435-8

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