thalidomide + cyclophosphamide + dexamethasone

This combination regimen, often referred to as TCD, consists of thalidomide, cyclophosphamide, and dexamethasone, and is used for the treatment of newly diagnosed Waldenström macroglobulinemia. The protocol typically involves an induction phase with TCD followed by a maintenance phase using thalidomide and prednisone. Thalidomide functions as an immunomodulatory agent that binds to cereblon, a component of the E3 ubiquitin ligase complex, leading to the degradation of specific transcription factors. Cyclophosphamide is a nitrogen mustard alkylating agent that forms DNA cross-links, thereby interfering with DNA replication and cell proliferation. Dexamethasone and prednisone are synthetic glucocorticoids that exert potent anti-inflammatory and pro-apoptotic effects by binding to the glucocorticoid receptor. This specific therapeutic strategy was investigated in a Phase 4 clinical trial (NCT01566149) led by the Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital in China.

Other names

TCD regimenthalidomide, cyclophosphamide, and dexamethasoneo-Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, China-Waldenström macroglobulinemia