(–)-Thalidomide is an active enantiomer of (±)-thalidomide and has immunomodulatory and teratogenic activities.1,2,3 It enhances TNF-α production induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate in HL-60 cells when used at concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 100 ?M.1 Preincubation of isolated Rhode Island Red (RIR) chicken donor blood with (–)-thalidomide (10 mg/ml) reduces recipient chicken embryo splenomegaly in a model of graft versus host disease.2 (–)-Thalidomide (150 mg/kg) induces fetal malformations when administered to pregnant female rabbits.3
1.Nishimura, K., Hashimoto, Y., and Iwasaki, S.(S)-form of α -methyl-N( α )-phthalimidoglutarimide, but not its (R)-form, enhanced phorbol ester-induced tumor necrosis factor-α production by human leukemia cell HL-60: Implication of optical resolution of thalidomidal effectsChem. Pharm. Bull. (Tokyo)42(5)1157-1159(1994) 2.Field, E.O., Gibbs, J.E., Tucker, D.F., et al.Effect of thalidomide on the graft versus host reactionNature211(5055)1308-1310(1966) 3.Fabro, S., Smith, R.L., and Williams, R.T.Toxicity and teratogenicity of optical isomers of thalidomideNature215(5098)296(1967)