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NCI Drug Dictionary


vincristine sulfate  Patient Information
The sulfate salt of a natural alkaloid isolated from the plant Vinca rosea Linn with antimitotic and antineoplastic activities. 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 active clinical trials or closed clinical trials using this agent. (NCI Thesaurus)
Synonym:leurocristine sulfate
US brand name:Vincasar PFS
Abbreviation:VCR
Chemical structure:22-oxovincaleukoblastine