III. Mechanism

  1. See Mitotic Inhibitor Chemotherapy
  2. Vincristine, like Vinblastine, is a natural Vinca Alkaloid with antineoplastic activity
    1. Isolated from the periwinkle plant (Vinca rosea Linn)
  3. Vincristine is an antitubular agent
    1. Binds tubulin and inhibits microtubule formation
    2. Disrupts mitotic spindle formation
    3. Arrests Cell Cycle in G2/M phase
  4. Other possible activity
    1. Interferes with metabolism of Amino Acids cAMP, glutathione
    2. Interferes with calmodulin-dependent Calcium transport ATPase activity
    3. Interferes with biosynthesis of Nucleic Acids and lipids

IV. Medications

  1. Vincristine intravenous solution: 1 mg/ml in 1 and 2 ml vials

V. Dosing

  1. See other references for disease specific dosing protocols

VI. Adverse Effects

  1. Impaired future fertility
  2. Alopecia
  3. Bronchospasm
  4. Central Nervous System Toxicity
  5. Hyperuricemia
  6. Hypersensitivity Reaction
  7. Severe skin and soft tissue necrosis on extravasation
    1. Vincristine is a strong Vesicant (causes Blistering)
  8. Myelosuppression (Bone Marrow suppression)
    1. Minimal compared with other agents (e.g. Vinblastine)
  9. Peripheral Neuropathy
    1. More than Vinblastine

VII. Safety

  1. Avoid in Lactation
  2. Avoid in pregnancy (all trimesters)
    1. Use reliable Contraception
  3. Monitoring
    1. Complete Blood Count

VIII. Drug Interactions

  1. Decreases other drug levels
    1. Phenytoin
    2. Digoxin

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Related Studies

Ontology: Vincristine (C0042679)

Definition (NCI_NCI-GLOSS) The active ingredient in a drug used to treat acute leukemia. It is used in combination with other drugs to treat Hodgkin disease, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, neuroblastoma, and Wilms tumor. Vincristine is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. It blocks cell growth by stopping cell division. It is a type of vinca alkaloid and a type of antimitotic agent.
Definition (NCI) A natural alkaloid isolated from the plant Vinca rosea Linn. Vincristine binds irreversibly to microtubules and spindle proteins in S phase of the cell cycle and interferes with the formation of the mitotic spindle, thereby arresting tumor cells in metaphase. This agent also depolymerizes microtubules and may also interfere with amino acid, cyclic AMP, and glutathione metabolism; calmodulin-dependent Ca++ -transport ATPase activity; cellular respiration; and nucleic acid and lipid biosynthesis. (NCI04)
Definition (MSH) Antitumor alkaloid isolated from Vinca Rosea. (Merck, 11th ed.)
Definition (CSP) inhibits microtubule formation in the mitotic spindle, resulting in an arrest of dividing cells at the metaphase stage.
Definition (PDQ) A natural alkaloid isolated from the plant Vinca rosea Linn. Vincristine binds irreversibly to microtubules and spindle proteins in S phase of the cell cycle and interferes with the formation of the mitotic spindle, thereby arresting tumor cells in metaphase. This agent also depolymerizes microtubules and may also interfere with amino acid, cyclic AMP, and glutathione metabolism; calmodulin-dependent Ca++ -transport ATPase activity; cellular respiration; and nucleic acid and lipid biosynthesis. Check for "http://www.cancer.gov/Search/ClinicalTrialsLink.aspx?id=42251&idtype=1" active clinical trials or "http://www.cancer.gov/Search/ClinicalTrialsLink.aspx?id=42251&idtype=1&closed=1" closed clinical trials using this agent. ("http://nciterms.nci.nih.gov:80/NCIBrowser/ConceptReport.jsp?dictionary=NCI_Thesaurus&code=C933" NCI Thesaurus)
Concepts Pharmacologic Substance (T121) , Organic Chemical (T109)
MSH D014750
SnomedCT 23079006, 387126006, 387427007, 75292001
English Leurocristine, Vincristine, Vincaleukoblastine, 22-oxo-, 22-Oxovincaleukoblastine, leurocristine, oxovincaleukoblastine, Vincristine [Chemical/Ingredient], lcr, vincrystine, vcr, vinCRIStine, vincristine, LEUROCRISTINE, VINCRISTINE, LCR, VCR, Vincristine (product), Vincristine (substance), Vincrystine, VinCRIStine
Swedish Vinkristin
Czech vinkristin
Finnish Vinkristiini
Russian VINKRISTIN, LEIROKRISTIN, ВИНКРИСТИН, ЛЕЙРОКРИСТИН
Japanese リューロクリスチン, ビンクリスチン
Italian Leurocristina, Vincristina
French Leurocristine, Vincristine
Polish Winkrystyna
Croatian VINKRISTIN
Spanish vincristina (producto), vincristina (sustancia), vincristina, Leurocristina, Vincristina
German Leukocristin, Vincristin
Portuguese Leurocristina, Vincristina