Thalidomide

Thalidomide can be combined with steroids to treat myelofibrosis.

Thalidomide is a drug that can be used either in combination with steroids or on its own to treat myelofibrosis.

There are now drugs similar to thalidomide or derivatives to thalidomide which may prove to be more effective than thalidomide itself. Some of these drugs are used to treat other diseases and some are under trial. These drugs include:

Lenolidomide
Revlimid
Pomalidomide

Treatment methods

Thalidomide can be used either alone or in combination with steroids.

Why take this drug

Thalidomide combined with steroids can occasionally help with the anaemia and can be very effective in some patients. There is evidence to suggest that in some patients with early myelofibrosis, thalidomide may reverse early fibrous deposits.

How it works

Thalidomide works by reducing the blood flow to the marrow and stopping the fibroblast cells from building scar material.

Common side effects

Thalidomide and its derivatives can cause:

Nerve problems in some patients
Problems with sleep
Constipation

This medication is given to people with myelofibrosis in low doses, so it is generally reasonably well tolerated.

Thalidomide is often given in combination with steroids. The main side effects of steroids are:

Weight gain
Increased appetite
Mood swings
Gastric irritation

If used long-term this treatment can lead to bone thinning (osteoporosis) and increase the tendency to develop diabetes.