Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Search research articles

Related Experiment Videos

Thalidomide. A surprising recovery

D Stirling¹, M Sherman, S Strauss

¹Celgene Corporation, Warren, N.J., USA.

Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Association (Washington, D.C. : 1996)

|May 1, 1997

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Effect of non-invasive transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) on non-motor symptoms in multiple sclerosis: study protocol for a randomised, controlled trial.

BMJ open·2025

Same author

A Gamified Social Media-Based Head and Neck Radiology Education Initiative of the American Society of Head and Neck Radiology: Viewership and Engagement Trends at 3 Years.

AJNR. American journal of neuroradiology·2022

Same author

Author Correction: The root meristem is shaped by brassinosteroid control of cell geometry.

Nature plants·2022

Same author

The root meristem is shaped by brassinosteroid control of cell geometry.

Nature plants·2021

Same author

Factors associated with Noninvasive ventilation compliance in patients with ALS/MND.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis & frontotemporal degeneration·2021

Same author

Soft tissue and visceral sarcomas: ESMO-EURACAN-GENTURIS Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up<sup>☆</sup>.

Annals of oncology : official journal of the European Society for Medical Oncology·2021

Same journal

The Sky is His Wife (2001)/Jim Alford (b. 1943).

Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Association (Washington, D.C. : 1996)·2013

Same journal

Zada Mary cooper (1875-1961).

Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Association (Washington, D.C. : 1996)·2013

Same journal

Aiming for, believing in, and achieving a target a1c of less than 7.

Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Association (Washington, D.C. : 1996)·2013

Same journal

Evaluation of OTC Product Information in Three Drug Information Databases for PDAs.

Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Association (Washington, D.C. : 1996)·2013

Same journal

New biotechnology approvals for 2002.

Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Association (Washington, D.C. : 1996)·2013

Same journal

Preventing meningococcal outbreaks: an opportunity for pharmacists.

Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Association (Washington, D.C. : 1996)·2013

See all related articles

The 1960s thalidomide tragedy spurred strict drug safety regulations. Despite its teratogenic effects, thalidomide remains a valuable therapeutic agent for various conditions, including cancer and autoimmune diseases.

Area of Science:

Pharmacology and Toxicology
Drug Safety and Regulation
Clinical Therapeutics

Background:

The thalidomide epidemic of birth defects in the 1960s prompted significant global drug safety reforms.
The precise biological mechanism of thalidomide's actions remains incompletely understood.
Concerns over clinical trial management of thalidomide led to the establishment of new regulatory frameworks.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the historical impact of thalidomide on drug safety regulations.
To discuss the current clinical applications of thalidomide.
To highlight the ongoing research into thalidomide's mechanism of action.

Main Methods:

Historical review of drug safety legislation and clinical trial regulations.

Related Experiment Videos

Analysis of current medical literature on thalidomide's therapeutic uses.

Summary of research findings on thalidomide's biological activities.

Main Results:

Thalidomide's teratogenicity resulted in stringent international drug safety standards.
No definitive mechanism of action for thalidomide's biological effects has been identified.
Thalidomide is currently approved for treating cachexia, mycobacterial infections, and autoimmune disorders.

Conclusions:

The thalidomide tragedy fundamentally reshaped pharmaceutical regulation and clinical trial oversight.
Despite its controversial past, thalidomide continues to offer significant therapeutic benefits.
Further research is crucial to elucidate thalidomide's mechanism of action and optimize its clinical use.