Vincristine
Vincristine is administered intravenously and is used to treat many different types of cancer. It is frequently used in combination with other drugs. Malignancies in which vincristine is used include acute leukemiaA cancer affecting the cells that develop into white or red blood cells. Both of these cell types originate from stem cells in bone marrow. Red blood cells function to carry oxygen to our tissues and the white cells (leukocytes) are part of our immune system. The cancerous cells often accumulate in the blood., rhabdoyosarcoma, neuroblastoma, Hodgkin's disease and other lymphomas, lymphorecticular neoplasms, childhood leukemias.1
Vincristine's (Oncovin®, Vincasar PFS®, Vincrex®) anti-cancer properties result from its ability to inhibit cell division during early mitosisThe portion of the cell cycle (M stage) during which a cell divides into two (usually identical) daughter cells.. It achieves this through a process that disrupts formation of microtubules, which effects cell division and eventually leads to apoptosisAlso called programmed cell death. Apoptosis is a natural process that occurs throughout the lives of almost all animals and plants. The death of the cells is a carefully controlled process that does not generate any inflammation.. Vincristine may also have the ability to inhibit the proteinOne of the four basic types of biomolecule. Proteins are polymers made up of strings of amino acids. Proteins serve many functions in organisms including transport of molecules, structure, cell adhesion and as signaling molecules such as hormones. Many transcription factors, including p53 and Rb are proteins. synthesis of DNAAbbreviation for deoxyribonucleic acid. Composed of very long strings of nucleotides, which are abbreviated as A, C, G and T. DNA is the storage form of our genetic material. All of the instructions for the production of proteins are encoded in our DNA. and RNAAlso: ribonucleic acid. RNA is a polymer comprised of the nucleotides A, C, G and U. RNA is the working form of our genetic information. RNA is produced via the process of transcription. Some RNA is used to help build ribosomes (rRNA) and some (mRNA) are used to guide the formation of proteins. Other forms of RNA are used to perform specialized functions in the nucleus..1
Unlike some of the other vinca alkaloids, vincristine does not cause severe bone marrow suppression (decreased blood cell counts). Common side effects include hair loss, pain/redness at location of injection, nausea/stomach pain/vomiting, lowered blood cell count, numbness, headache, constipation, nervous system problems such as neuropathy or sensory impairment, blurred or double vision, back pain, overall weakness. This drug should not be taken by a patient who is pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or breast-feeding as it may cause birth defects. Patients should not receive any immunizations (vaccinations) while taking this medication. Vincristine may cause immunosuppression (weakened immunity) and vaccinations could lead to an illness. Patients should notify their clinician about any prescription drugs taken concurrently with the chemotherapyTreatment of cancer patients with anticancer drugs. Commonly called 'chemo'. These drugs work by attacking cell growth or division. Often these agents are used in combination to take advantage of their different modes of attack on cell division. and any other medical conditions, such as, chickenpox, herpes zoster infection, gout, kidney stones, infections, liver disease, nerve or muscle disease. 1
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