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Vincristine

Vincristine is a chemotherapy drug that belongs to a group of drugs called vinca alkaloids.

The vinca alkaloids are made from the periwinkle plant (catharanthus roseus).

Vincristine works by stopping the cancer cells from separating into 2 new cells. So, it stops the growth of the cancer.

On this page:

Indications

  • Diffuse large B- cell lymphoma (DLBCL)
  • Burkitt lymphoma (BL)
  • Hodgkin lymphoma (HL)
  • Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL)
  • Peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL)
  • Nodal and extranodal T-cell and NK cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma
  • Follicular lymphoma (FL)

Administration

Vincristine is given into the bloodstream (intravenously).

Given over 5-10 minutes as a gravity infusion (not through an IV pump)

Vincristine is called a ‘vesicant’ as this drug can cause tissue damage if it leaks out of the vein into the surrounding tissue.

The nurse will stay with the patient to watch the infusion to ensure there are no issues. Patients should advise the nurse or their support person if they feel any burning, pain, or swelling around the IV needle when the medicine is injected.

Possible side-effects

  • Increased risk of getting an infection is due to a drop in white blood cells.
  • Hair loss
  • Numbness or tingling in fingers or toes
  • Tiredness and weakness (fatigue) during and after treatment
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Constipation
  • Tummy (abdominal) pain
  • Periods stopping
  • Changes to your eyesight
  • High temperature (fever) in children
  • Difficulty passing urine
  • Muscle or bone pain
  • Sore mouth and throat
  • Swelling and pain at the drip site
  • Allergic reaction
  • Taste changes
  • Hearing changes
  • Loss of appetite and weight loss
  • Jaw pain
  • Constipation or diarrhoea
  • Skin rash
  • Headaches

 

Note: the maximum dose is capped at 2mg regardless of height or weight.

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Please note: Lymphoma Australia staff are only able to reply to emails sent in English language.

For people living in Australia, we can offer a phone translation service. Have your nurse or English speaking relative call us to arrange this.

Useful Definitions

  • Refractory: This means the lymphoma does not get better with treatment. The treatment didn’t work as hoped.
  • Relapsed: This means the lymphoma came back after being gone for a while after treatment.
  • 2nd line treatment: This is the second treatment you get if the first one didn’t work (refractory) or if the lymphoma comes back (relapse).
  • 3rd line treatment: This is the third treatment you get if the second one didn’t work or the lymphoma comes back again.
  • Approved: Available in Australia and listed by the Therapeutics Goods Administration (TGA).
  • Funded: Costs are covered for Australian citizens. This means if you have a Medicare card, you shouldn’t have to pay for the treatment.[WO7]

You need healthy T-cells to make CAR T-cells. For this reason, CAR T-cell therapy cannot be used if you have a T-cell lymphoma – yet.

For more information on CAR T-cells and T-cell lymphoma click here. 

Special Note: Although your T-cells are removed from your blood for CAR T-cell therapy, most of our T-cells live outside of our blood – in our lymph nodes, thymus, spleen and other organs.