Vinblastine Sulfate

Velvin is a cytotoxic drug that arrests cell growth at the metaphase. Its actions are more pronounced on the rapidly dividing cell than on the normal cell. It appears to act, like vincristine, by binding to the microtubular proteins of the mitotic spindle, preventing polymerisation.
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Velvin is a cytotoxic drug that arrests cell growth at the metaphase. Its actions are more pronounced on the rapidly dividing cell than on the normal cell. It appears to act, like vincristine, by binding to the microtubular proteins of the mitotic spindle, preventing polymerisation.
Information available at present suggests that Velvin may be useful, either alone or in combination with other oncolytic drugs, for the treatment of: Hodgkin’s disease; nonHodgkin’s lymphoma; carcinoma of the breast; methotrexate-resistant choriocarcinoma; renal cell carcinoma; testicular teratoma and seminoma; histiocytosis X. Other neoplasms occasionally show a marked response to Velvin sulphate, but less frequently than the more susceptible conditions listed above.

Dosage & Administration

The recommended dose for adults, the elderly and children is 6 mg/m2 , usually administered no more frequently than once every seven days. For testicular tumours, the dosage may be increased to 0.2 mg/kg administered on each of two consecutive days every three weeks.
To minimise the possibility of extravascular spillage, it is suggested that the mini-bag infusion and needle be rinsed with venous blood before withdrawal. The dose should not be diluted in large volumes of diluent (ie, 100 to 250 ml) or given intravenously for prolonged periods (ranging from 30 to 60 minutes or more), since this frequently results in irritation of the vein and increases the chance of extravasation.
Because of the enhanced possibility of thrombosis, it is considered inadvisable to inject a solution of VinBLAStine sulphate into an extremity in which the circulation is impaired, or potentially impaired, by such conditions as compressing or invading neoplasm, phlebitis or varicosity.

Alopecia, constipation, malaise, stomatitis, dose-limiting bone marrow suppression (e.g. granulocytopenia, thrombocytopenia, anaemia), hypertension, central and peripheral neurotoxicity, 8th cranial nerve damage resulting in vestibular and auditory toxicity, ischaemic cardiac toxicity, breathlessness, bone, tumour or jaw pain. Nausea, vomiting, GI bleed, syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone. Necrosis, cellulitis if extravasation occurs.

Although the mechanism of action has not been definitely established, VinBLAStine appears to bind to or crystallise critical microtubular proteins of the mitotic spindle, thus preventing their proper polymerisation and causing metaphase arrest. In high concentrations, Vinblastine also exerts complex effects on nucleic acid and protein synthesis. Vinblastine reportedly also interferes with amino acid metabolism by blocking cellular utilisation of glutamic acid and thus inhibits purine synthesis, the citric acid cycle, and the formation of urea. Vinblastine exerts some immunosuppressive activity.