Ananova:

New versions of thalidomide could prove to be potent weapons against cancer say researchers.

The drug caused a scandal in the 1960s after pregnant women were prescribed it for morning sickness gave birth to deformed babies.

Doctors discovered it was limiting the development of new blood vessels to growing limbs.

But experts believe this property of limiting blood flow can be harnessed to treat cancer by starving tumours.

Combined with chemotherapy, it has already been used to treat certain types of cancer.

Scientists at St George's Hospital Medical School in London looked at two different versions of thalidomide, called IMiDs and SelCIDs. They were found to be at least 10 times better than the original drug at preventing the growth of blood vessels.

The drugs were also able to stimulate the immune system and reduce cancer-causing inflammation.

Dr Keith Dredge, who led the research published in the British Journal of Cancer, said: "This group of thalidomide-like drugs seems to have very complex and yet very exciting properties."

Two forms of IMiD are now being used in early clinical trials for treating advanced cancer.

Story filed: 20:13 Tuesday 29th October 2002

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