Future directions in haematology: beyond multiple myeloma.

Thalidomide acts on the microenvironment of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) by influencing cytokine networks, and growing evidence supports thalidomide´s usefulness in the management of haematological malignancies, such as MDS. The European Collaboration Group on Myelofibrosis with Myeloid Metaplasia reviewed patients who received at least four weeks´ thalidomide treatment, in doses ranging from 50 mg/day to 400 mg/day. The results showed that 30% of patients had increases in haemoglobin, and, of these, almost 40% became transfusion independent. Platelets were increased in a significant proportion of patients, and approximately 40% of patients had a reduction in their spleen size. Data on thalidomide and acute myeloblastic leukaemia (AML) are conflicting: a recently published study indicated that thalidomide does not have a role in the management of acute myeloblastic leukaemia (AML), while other studies suggest some patients may respond because of thalidomide´s ability to activate natural killer cells and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. Partial responses to thalidomide treatment have been recorded in patients with lymphoma. In a phase II study to assess the activity of thalidomide in patients with Waldenstrom´s macroglobulinaemia, a partial response was seen in 25% of patients who received a starting dose of 200 mg, which was escalated in 200 mg increments every 14 days as tolerated to a maximum of 600 mg. Although further study is required, thalidomide shows promise in the treatment of a number of haematological malignancies, many of which currently have limited treatment options and poor prognosis. Copyright