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Vincent Rajkumar: How this most Notorious Drug on the Planet made an Incredible Comeback
Vincent Rajkumar and Leif Bergsage
May 19, 2025, 13:59

Vincent Rajkumar: How this most Notorious Drug on the Planet made an Incredible Comeback

Vincent Rajkumar, Professor of Medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, shared a post on X:

“The fascinating story of Thalidomide: How this most notorious drug on the planet, banned in the 1960s, made an incredible comeback and revolutionized the treatment of myeloma.
I will also highlight one person whose role is not recognized: Without Dr. Leif Bergsage there will be no thalidomide for myeloma.
Read on Med Twitter:
  • The thalidomide story has many takeaways and lessons.
  • It shows drug development from bedside to bench and back to bedside.
  • It shows the power and impact of astute clinicians.
  • It shows the power of investigator courage.
  • The role of serendipity.”
Yelak Biru, President and Chief Executive Officer at International Myeloma Foundation, reshared the post on X, adding:
“While Thalidomode may not be the most prescribed myeloma medicine today (in the US), it ushered a new era of hope, discovery, and progress of myeloma.
Fascinating narrative of how it came to be below by Dr. Vincent Rajkumar.
This resonates with me… and a reminder resilience also applies to progress and not only being a patient and that superheroes come in many forms.
“Dr. Barlogie pictured below is a legend. No one but him would have been willing to try thalidomide of all drugs in myeloma. No one. No.”

Vincent Rajkumar shared insights on the historical significance of thalidomide’s revival in multiple myeloma treatment, emphasizing the roles of clinical courage and serendipity. Yelak Biru echoed the importance of the drug’s legacy, crediting its role in transforming myeloma care and progress.

Vincent Rajkumar: How this most Notorious Drug on the Planet made an Incredible Comeback

More posts featuring Vincent Rajkumar.

cancer fight against cancer Global fight against cancer IMF International Myeloma Foundation Leif Bergsage Mayo Clinic Myeloma OncoDaily Oncology Rochester Thalidomide Vincent Rajkumar Yelak Biru
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