Thalidomide was used in the 1960s as an anxiolytic and antiemetic agent for pregnant women and was withdrawn from use because of its teratogenic effects. Because of its antiangiogenic properties, it has resurfaced as an antineoplastic drug and currently is indicated for the treatment of multiple myeloma.Thalidomide reduces the production of tumor necrosis factor alpha. It has been used in AIDS-associated cachexia and has been studied in cancer-related anorexia and cachexia. Adverse effects include dizziness, drowsiness, somnolence, constipation, and increased incidence of thromboembolic events. The use of thalidomide is strictly regulated because of its teratogenic effects. Thalidomide use has been examined in patients with cancer for treatment of anorexia, fatigue, and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
Han, Z., Sun, X., Jiang, G., & Du, X. (2016). Thalidomide for control delayed vomiting in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons—Pakistan, 26, 900–903. Retrieved from https://www.jcpsp.pk/archive/2016/Nov2016/07.pdf?
To assess the effect of thalidomide on delayed chemotherapy-induced vomiting
Patients were randomly allocated to treatment with thalidomide 25 mg four times per day and 50 mg at night beginning the day before chemotherapy. Both the intervention and treatment groups were given azasetron 10 mg IV 30 minutes before chemotherapy administration. Patients had received at least one cycle of chemotherapy prior to study inclusion.
PHASE OF CARE: Active antitumor treatment
Randomized, controlled trial
Delayed vomiting was fully or partly controlled in 88% of the treatment group and in 66% of the control group (p = 0.023).
Thalidomide might be helpful to control chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
Thalidomide might be useful for the control of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting; however, additional well designed research is needed to determine the role of thalidomide as an option or adjunct to reduce nausea and vomiting.
Liu, Y., Zhang, J., Teng, Y., Zhang, L., Yu, P., Jin, B., … Li, Z. (2009). Thalidomide improves prevention of chemotherapy-induced gastrointestinal side effects following a modified FOLFOX7 regimen: Results of a prospective randomized crossover study. Tumori, 95, 691–696.
To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of thalidomide plus ramosetron and dexamethasone in controlling delayed chemotherapy-induced GI side effects following a moderately emetogenic FOLFOX7 regimen
Patients who were chemotherapy-naïve and scheduled to receive a moderately emetogenic FOLFOX7 regimen were randomized to two groups. Group A-B received ramosetron plus dexamethasone on day 1 in the first cycle. Group B received thalidomide twice a day on days 2-5 in cycle 1. Group B-A received the same drugs in reverse sequence.
All patients received ramosetron. All patients were permitted to receive a rescue dose of 10 mg dexamethasone IV if vomiting occurred more than two times within 24 hours.
The study was conducted at a single site at the China Medical University in China.
All patients were in active treatment.
This was a prospective, randomized, crossover-controlled study.
Neither palonosetron or aprepitant are commercially available in China. Thalidomide was associated with greater complete response of delayed nausea and delayed emesis. No significant adverse effects were noted with thalidomide.
Thalidomide has some efficacy in controlling delayed chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in patients receiving FOLFOX7 therapy in combination with other antiemetic regimens.