Does vincristine cause neurotoxicity?
The dose-limiting side effect of vincristine is neurotoxicity, which may lead to severe peripheral sensory and motor neuropathies affecting quality of life (QOL), treatment delay, and vincristine substitution or discontinuation.
Is vincristine a mitotic inhibitor?
A group of mitotic inhibitors (vinblastine, vincristine, and vinorelbine) exert their cytotoxic effects by binding to tubulin. This inhibits formation of microtubules, causing metaphase arrest.
How does the drug vincristine affect mitosis?
Both vincristine and vinblastine bind to the microtubular proteins of the mitotic spindle and prevent cell division during the anaphase of mitosis. They arrest mitosis and cause cell death. The drugs are therefore M-phase cell-cycle specific and their effects are therefore limited to dividing cells.
What is vincristine neuropathy?
Vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathy (VIPN) is characterized primarily by numbness, tingling, and a painful sensation felt in the hands and feet, muscle weakness, and constipation due to its effect on the sensory, motor, and autonomic nerves3,4,5.
Is vincristine neuropathy reversible?
Vincristine neuropathy is usually reversible when therapy is discontinued. The median duration of paresthesias and motor weakness after treatment discontinuation is 3 months. Cramps in small hand but in particular small foot muscles occur.
What problems can be caused by mitotic inhibitors?
Mitotic inhibitors interfere with the assembly and disassembly of tubulin into microtubule polymers. This interrupts cell division, usually during the mitosis (M) phase of the cell cycle when two sets of fully formed chromosomes are supposed to separate into daughter cells.
What mitotic structure is targeted by vincristine and colchicine and what effect would that have on cell division?
Chemotherapy drugs such as vincristine (derived from Madagascar periwinkle plants) and colchicine (derived from autumn crocus plants) disrupt mitosis by binding to tubulin (the subunit of microtubules) and interfering with microtubule assembly and disassembly.
Why does vincristine damage the mitotic spindle?
The vinca alkaloids, including vincristine, vinblastine, and vinorelbine, bind tubulin and block polymerization of microtubules. This results in the disruption of the mitotic spindle.
What are the long term side effects of vincristine?
With continued treatment, neuritic pain and later, motor difficulties may occur. Loss of deep-tendon reflexes, foot drop, wrist drop, ataxia, and paralysis have been reported with continued administration.
When do vincristine side effects start?
This effect may occur within minutes to several hours after vincristine is given and up to 2 weeks after the dose of mitomycin-C. Get medical help right away if you have shortness of breath or coughing.
Can vincristine cause abdominal pain?
Vincristine can cause serious constipation, abdominal pain and can even lead to a blockage or stoppage of the bowel (called paralytic ileus) if not treated promptly. There are several things you can do to prevent or relieve constipation.
