Thalidomide

**Semantic type:** Organic Chemical|Pharmacologic Substance

**Definition:** A synthetic derivative of glutamic acid (alpha-phthalimido-glutarimide) with teratogenic, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic properties. Thalidomide acts primarily by inhibiting both the production of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) in stimulated peripheral monocytes and the activities of interleukins and interferons. This agent also inhibits polymorphonuclear chemotaxis and monocyte phagocytosis. In addition, thalidomide inhibits pro-angiogenic factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), thereby inhibiting angiogenesis.

**Synonyms:** - (+)-Thalidomide - (-)-Thalidomide - .alpha.-Phthalimidoglutarimide - 2, 6-Dioxo-3-phthalimidopiperidine - 2,6-Dioxo-3-phthalimidopiperidine - 2-(2,6-Dioxo-3-piperidinyl)-1H-isoindole-1,3(2H)-dione - 3-Phthalimidoglutarimide - Alpha-Phthalimidoglutarimide - Contergan - Contergan - Distaval - Distaval - Kevadon - Kevadon - N-(2,6-Dioxo-3-piperidyl)phthalimide - N-(2,6-Dioxo-3-piperidyl)phthalimide - N-Phthaloylglutamimide - N-Phthaloylglutamimide - N-Phthalylglutamic Acid Imide - N-Phthalylglutamic acid imide - Neurosedyn - Pantosediv - Pantosediv - Phthalimide, N-(2, 6-dioxo-3-piperidyl)-, (+)- - Phthalimide, N-(2, 6-dioxo-3-piperidyl)-, (-)- - Sedalis - Sedoval K-17 - Sedoval K17 - Softenon - Softenon - Synovir - THALIDOMIDE - Talimol - Talimol - Thalomid - Thalomid - thalidomide