Vinca alkaloid

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Chemical structure of the vinca alkaloid vincristine

Vinca alkaloids are a set of anti-mitotic and anti-microtubule agents that were originally derived from the Periwinkle plant Catharanthus roseus.

Vinca alkaloids are used in the treatment of cancer. They are a class of cell-cycle-specific cytotoxic drugs that work by inhibiting the ability of cancer cells to divide: Acting upon tubulin, they prevent it from forming into microtubules, a necessary component for cellular division.[1]

Vinca alkaloids are now produced synthetically and used as drugs in cancer therapy and as immunosuppressive drugs. These compounds include vinblastine, vincristine, vindesine, and vinorelbine.

References

  1. ↑ Takimoto, C. H.; Calvo, E. (2008). "Chapter 3: Principles of Oncologic Pharmacotherapy". In Pazdur, R.; Wagman, L. D.; Camphausen, K. A.; Hoskins, W. J. Cancer Management: A Multidisciplinary Approach (11th ed.). ISBN 978-1-891483-62-2. 


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