Thalidomide
Thalidomide suppresses activated NF-κB that drives malignant cell
proliferation, inflammation, angiogenesis, and poorly-regulated immune
responses.51,52,53,54. Thalidomide also has an
immunomodulatory effect when introduced together with the COX-2
inhibitor, celecoxib; together, these agents suppress the production of
proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and
interleukin-855 through inhibition of
NF-κB by inhibiting the activity
of the IκB kinase56. Thalidomide may be a powerful
drug for the treatment of severe COVID-19 pneumonia. Patients undergoing
treatment with thalidomide must be under the careful supervision of the
System for Thalidomide Education and Prescribing Safety (S.T.E.P.S.)
program57.