Thalidomide (Synonyms: N-Phthaloylglutamimide, NSC 66847, NSC 527179)

Thalidomide is initially promoted as a sedative, inhibits cereblon (CRBN), a part of the cullin-4 E3 ubiquitin ligase complex CUL4-RBX1-DDB1, with a Kd of ∼250 nM, and has immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic cancer properties.

Thalidomide is initially promoted as a sedative, has immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic cancer properties, and targets cereblon (CRBN), a part of the cullin-4 E3 ubiquitin ligase complex CUL4-RBX1-DDB1, with a Kd of ∼250 nM[1]. Thalidomide (50 μg/mL) potentiates the anti-tumor activity of icotinib against the proliferation of both PC9 and A549 cells, and this effect is correlated with apoptosis and cell migration. In addition, Thalidomide and icotinib inhibits the EGFR and VEGF-R2 pathways in PC9 cells[3].

Thalidomide (100 mg/kg, p.o.) inhibits the collagen deposition, down-regulates the mRNA expression level of α-SMA and collagen I, and significantly reduces the pro-inflammatory cytokines in RILF mice. Thalidomide alleviates RILF via suppression of ROS and down-regulation of TGF-β/Smad pathway dependent on Nrf2 status[2]. Thalidomide (200 mg/kg, p.o.) combined with icotinib shows synergistic anti-tumor effects in nude mice bearing PC9 cells, suppressing tumor growth and promoting tumor death[3].

References:
[1]. Fischer ES, et al. Structure of the DDB1-CRBN E3 ubiquitin ligase in complex with thalidomide. Nature. 2014 Aug 7;512(7512):49-53.
[2]. Bian C, et al. Thalidomide (THD) alleviates radiation induced lung fibrosis (RILF) via down-regulation of TGF-β/Smad3 signaling pathway in an Nrf2-dependent manner. Free Radic Biol Med. 2018 Dec;129:446-453.
[3]. Sun X, et al. Synergistic Inhibition of Thalidomide and Icotinib on Human Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinomas Through ERK and AKT Signaling. Med Sci Monit. 2018 May 15;24:3193-3203.