Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 13, 2026
10:44
Chemical Inactivation of the E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Cereblon by Pomalidomide-based Homo-PROTACs
Published on: May 15, 2019
Neuropathy in multiple myeloma treated with thalidomide: a prospective study
R Plasmati1, F Pastorelli, M Cavo
1Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Unità Operativa di Neurologia, Ospedale Bellaria, Bologna, Italy. rosaria.plasmati@ausl.bo.it
Neurology
|August 8, 2007
Summary
Thalidomide effectively treats multiple myeloma (MM), but can cause mild peripheral neuropathy. This early side effect, often subclinical, occurred in most patients during treatment.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Thalidomide is a key first-line treatment for multiple myeloma (MM).
- Peripheral neurotoxicity is a significant limitation to thalidomide use in MM patients.
- Understanding neuropathy in MM is crucial for optimizing treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence of both MM-related and thalidomide-induced neuropathy.
- To assess neuropathy in 31 newly diagnosed MM patients receiving thalidomide therapy.
- To correlate neuropathy with treatment parameters.
Main Methods:
- Clinical and electrophysiologic evaluations were conducted.
- 31 newly diagnosed MM patients received thalidomide (200 mg/day) for 4 months before transplantation.
- Patients continued thalidomide post-transplantation for 3 months, with follow-up evaluations.
Main Results:
- Four patients had mild MM-related neuropathy at baseline, slightly worsening with thalidomide.
- 83% of patients developed mild, predominantly sensory, axonal polyneuropathy.
- All patients achieved at least a partial response in their multiple myeloma.
Conclusions:
- Mild peripheral neuropathy is a common, early side effect of thalidomide in MM.
- The observed neuropathy was often subclinical and axonal.
- High thalidomide doses and short treatment duration precluded correlation analysis with neuropathy severity.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that affects the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. It is an inflammatory demyelinating disorder and a leading cause of neurological disability in young adults.EpidemiologyMS commonly begins between 20 and 40 years of age and is twice as common in women. Its exact cause remains unclear, but genetic susceptibility contributes, with higher risk in first-degree relatives and identical twins. A greater...
01:22Diabetic Neuropathy
DefinitionDiabetic neuropathy is nerve damage caused by long-standing diabetes mellitus. It results directly from prolonged high blood sugar levels.PathophysiologyThe pathophysiology of diabetic neuropathy involves both metabolic and vascular disturbances triggered by chronic hyperglycemia.Metabolic injury: Elevated glucose levels activate the polyol pathway within nerve cells, leading to the accumulation of sorbitol and fructose. This increases oxidative stress, disrupts normal nerve...
01:29Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Dopamine Receptor Antagonists
Dopamine receptor antagonists, also known as antipsychotic agents, are critical in managing chemotherapy-induced vomiting. These antiemetic agents block dopamine receptors in the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ), inhibiting signal transmission to the vomiting center. Antipsychotic agents encompass phenothiazines (PTZ), butyrophenones, benzamides, and thienobenzodiazepines (Zyprexa), which are utilized for their antiemetic and sedative properties.
Phenothiazines, such as prochlorperazine...
Phenothiazines, such as prochlorperazine...
01:16Therapeutic Drug Monitoring: Overview and Classification
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) is a clinical practice that measures specific drug levels in a patient's blood at designated intervals to ensure the drug concentration stays within a therapeutic range. This monitoring is crucial for optimizing individual dosage regimens, enhancing therapeutic efficacy, and minimizing drug-related toxicity. TDM is vital for drugs with narrow therapeutic windows, significant variability in pharmacokinetics, and a clear correlation between plasma levels and...
01:29Therapeutic Drug Monitoring: Affecting Factors
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) is the clinical practice of measuring specific drug levels in a patient's blood or body tissues to manage and optimize therapy. TDM is crucial for drugs with narrow therapeutic windows, like warfarin and phenytoin, where incorrect doses can lead to treatment failure or severe side effects. This monitoring ensures the dosage administered is within a safe and effective range. The factors affecting therapeutic drug monitoring include:Patient-Specific Factors:a.
01:07Teratogenicity
The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...