Medicine & USMLE

Vincristine, Vinblastine

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Oncology Pharm
  1. Bleomycin
  2. Dactinomycin, Actinomycin D
  3. Doxorubicin, Daunorubicin
  4. Azathioprine, 6-MP
  5. Cladribine
  6. Cytarabine
  7. Busulfan
  8. Cyclophosphamide, Ifosfamide
  9. Nitrosoureas
  10. Paclitaxel
  11. Vincristine, Vinblastine
  12. Cisplatin, Carboplatin, Oxaliplatin
  13. Etoposide, Teniposide
  14. Irinotecan, Topotecan
  15. Bevacizumab
  16. Erlotinib
  17. Cetuximab, Panitumumab
  18. Imatinib, Dasatinib
  19. Rituximab
  20. Bortezomib, Carfilzomib
  21. Trastuzumab
  22. Dabrafenib, Vemurafenib
  23. Raloxifene and Tamoxifen
  24. Hydroxyurea
  25. Procarbazine

Summary

Vinca alkaloids, such as vincristine and vinblastine are chemotherapeutic drugs that function by blocking microtubule formation. This prevents formation of the mitotic spindle and inhibits cell replication. Patients taking vincristine are at risk for developing neurotoxicity, and a less specific side effect seen is bone marrow suppression.

Key Points

  • Vinca Alkaloids
    • Drugs
      • Vincristine
      • Vinblastine
    • Mechanism
      • Block microtubule formation
        • Bind to tubulin in M phase of the cell cycle and prevent them from polymerizing to form microtubules 
        • Prevents formation of the mitotic spindle 
    • Clinical use
      • Hodgkin’s lymphoma (part of MOPP regimen), non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, ALL, solid tumors
    • Adverse effects
      • Vincristine 
        • Neurotoxicity / peripheral neuropathy
          • Areflexia, peripheral neuritis, paralytic ileus
      • Vinblastine
        • Bone marrow suppression (non-specific)
          • "blasts the bone marrow"