Thalidomide and Structural Abnormalities

Thalidomide: A Tragedy of Structural Abnormalities and Isomerism

Severe Structural Abnormalities

• Thalidomide caused severe structural abnormalities in newborns when taken by pregnant women.
• Examples of severe cases included infants born with:
  • Missing sections of limbs.
  • "Flipper fingers."
  • Half a body.
  • No thoracic cavity, leading to death within 24-36 hours after birth.

The Thalidomide Crisis: A Timeline

• The United Kingdom first recognized the severe birth defects associated with thalidomide.
• The UK stopped using thalidomide by the end of 1958.
• Canada continued to legally prescribe thalidomide for another 4-5 years, despite widespread knowledge of its harmful effects.

Lawsuits and Compensation

• Lawsuits were filed globally, including in Canada, due to thalidomide-related birth defects.
• In February 2015, the 92 remaining Canadian thalidomide survivors were awarded compensation.
• Each survivor received $125,000, which was considered insufficient given their severe disabilities (e.g., wheelchair dependence, oxygen needs).
• The compensation was meant to help cover expenses like wheelchairs (costing around $10,000) and modified vehicles (costing around $130,000).

The Role of Isomers: A Pharmaceutical Error

• The thalidomide tragedy was partly a result of a "pharmaceutical error" related to isomers.
• Isomers: Compounds with the same atoms and number of atoms (e.g., carbons, hydrogens, oxygens) but arranged differently.
• One arrangement of thalidomide was safe, while other arrangements caused severe birth defects upon transfer through the placenta.

Example of Isomerism: Glucose, Fructose, and Galactose

• Glucose, fructose, and galactose all have the same chemical formula: C6H{12}O_6 (6 carbons, 12 hydrogens, and 6 oxygens).
• However, they are arranged differently, making them distinct sugars with different properties.

Isomer Purification in Modern Pharmacy

• Isomer purification: A process used in modern pharmacy, particularly in North America, to ensure that only the safe version of a drug is marketed.
• Undesirable isomers are removed to prevent adverse effects caused by structural differences.
• The body responds differently to various isomers, leading to potential health problems.

Current Research and Potential Uses of Thalidomide

• Thalidomide is being studied again for its potential in cancer treatment.
• It can cause cellular changes, making it a subject of interest in cancer research.