Thalidomide Is Effective for Bleeding Gastrointestinal Vascular Malformations

In a randomized trial, thalidomide decreased bleeding by ≥50% in most patients.

Bleeding from gastrointestinal (GI) vascular malformations is notoriously refractory to treatment. In several case-series reports, thalidomide showed promise, presumably because it inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). In this larger study from China, 56 patients with GI vascular malformations were randomized to receive either thalidomide or iron supplements for 4 months and then were followed for 1 year. All patients had experienced repeated episodes of bleeding and hospitalizations during the previous year; mean hemoglobin level at enrollment was 6.2 g/dL.

During the follow-up year, the proportions of patients with ≥50% reduction in bleeding episodes (as determined by frequent fecal occult blood testing) was markedly higher i…

Reviewing Author

Allan S. Brett, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Allan S. Brett, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose