The evolution of thalidomide and its IMiD derivatives as anticancer agents

Thalidomide was originally used to treat morning sickness, but was banned in the 1960s for causing serious congenital birth defects. Remarkably, thalidomide was subsequently discovered to have anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic properties, and was identified as an effective treatment for multiple myeloma. A series of immunomodulatory drugs — created by chemical modification of thalidomide — have been developed to overcome the original devastating side effects. Their powerful anticancer properties mean that these drugs are now emerging from thalidomide's shadow as useful anticancer agents.