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.