Products
Vinblastine is commercially available as an injectable (Velbe). It has been approved in many countries since 1961.
Structure and properties
Vinblastine is present in drugs as vinblastine sulfate (C46H60N4O13S, Mr = 909 g/mol) is present, a white to slightly yellowish, very hygroscopic powder that is readily soluble in water. It is a vinca alkaloid extracted from the Madagascar immortelle L. (Pink Catharanthe, ). Vinblastine is structurally related to vincristine.
Effects
Vinblastine (ATC L01CA01) has cytostatic properties. The effects are due to inhibition of cell division (mitosis). Vinblastine forms on tubulin, inhibits polymerization, and promotes depolymerization of microbutules. It is a mitosis inhibitor that blocks the cell cycle in metaphase. Vinblastine has a long half-life of approximately 24.8 hours.
Indications
For the treatment of cancer:
- Hodgkin’s disease stage III and IV.
- B- and T-non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, hairy cell leukemia.
- Kaposi’s sarcoma
- Histiocytosis X
- Advanced testicular carcinoma
- Chorionic carcinoma that is resistant to other chemotherapeutic agents
- Advanced breast carcinoma
Dosage
According to the professional information. The drug is administered exclusively as an intravenous injection.
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity
- Severe granulocytopenia
- Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome
- Severe uncontrolled infections
- Intrathecal administration (can lead to fatal outcome).
- Pregnancy, lactation
Full precautions can be found in the drug label.
Interactions
Vinblastine is a substrate of CYP3A4 and corresponding interactions are possible.
Adverse effects
The most common possible adverse effects include bone marrow depression (especially leukopenia and granulocytopenia), nausea, vomiting, and hair loss.
