This is an antineoplastic agent which apparently acts by binding to the microtubular proteins of the spindle and arresting mitosis at the metaphase.

Indications: Acute leukaemias; lymphomas and certain solid tumours (breast and lung cancer)

Cautions: avoid contact with eyes; caution in handling - irritant to tissues; hepatic impairment.

Contra-indications: pregnancy & breast feeding. Intra- thecal injection may cause neurotoxicity.

Side effect: Myeolosuppression is the dose-limiting side- effect of vinblastine and vinorelbine (vincristine causes negligible myelosuppression); neurotoxicity, usually as peripheral or autonomic neuropathy, is a limiting side effect of vincristine (less often with vinblastine and vinorelbine); reversible alopecia.