Thalidomide

Biological Activity

Thalidomide can directly inhibit angiogenesis induced by bFGF or VEGF in vivo.Thalidomide was commonly used therapeutically in the late 1950's; however, it was withdrawn from the market when it was discovered to cause birth defects. More recent research has found Thalidomide to affect key biochemical pathways yielding antiangiogenic and immunomodulatory activities. This compound has been shown to: selectively inhibit tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha) biosynthesis and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)-induced angiogenesis, induce apoptosis in human monocytes via a cytochrome c-dependent pathway, and to inhibit HIV-1 replication in a monocytoid (U1) line. These new found uses make Thalidomide an extremely valuable research tool.

Published experimental findings depend on the model and assay conditions. They do not guarantee equivalent performance in every application. For laboratory research use only.