Drug Groups

approved; investigational

Description

Antitumor alkaloid isolated from Vinca Rosea. (Merck, 11th ed.)

Indication

For treatment of acute leukaemia, malignant lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, acute erythraemia, acute panmyelosis

Pharmacology

Vincristine is a vinca alkaloid antineoplastic agent used as a treatment for various cancers including breast cancer, Hodgkin's disease, Kaposi's sarcoma, and testicular cancer. The vinca alkaloids are structurally similar compounds comprised of 2 multiringed units, vindoline and catharanthine. The vinca alkaloids have become clinically useful since the discovery of their antitumour properties in 1959. Initially, extracts of the periwinkle plant (Catharanthus roseus) were investigated because of putative hypoglycemic properties, but were noted to cause marrow suppression in rats and antileukemic effects in vitro. Vincristine binds to the microtubular proteins of the mitotic spindle, leading to crystallization of the microtubule and mitotic arrest or cell death. Vincristine has some immunosuppressant effect. The vinca alkaloids are considered to be cell cycle phase-specific.

Toxicity

IVN-RAT LD₅₀ 1300 mg/kg; IPR-MUS LD₅₀ 5.2 mg/kg

Affected Organisms

Biotransformation

Hepatic

Half Life

19-155 hours

Protein Binding

~75%

References

External Links