Vincristine (sulfate)

Vincristine sulfate is an antitumor vinca alkaloid which inhibits microtubule formation in mitotic spindle, resulting in an arrest of dividing cells at the metaphase stage. It binds to microtubule with a K_i of 85 nM. In Vitro: Vincristine inhibits net addition of tubulin dimers at assembly ends of steady-state microtubules with K_i?of 85 nM^[1].?Vincristine stabilizes the spindle apparatus resulting in failure of the chromosomes to segregate leading to metaphase arrest and inhibition of mitosis at low concentrations. At higher concentrations, Vincristine may disrupt and induce total depolymerization of microtubules^[2].?Vincristine induces apoptosis in tumor cells and inhibits SH-SY5Y cell proliferation with IC₅₀ of 0.1 μM. Vincristine induces mitotic arrest and promots the expression of caspase-3 and -9 and cyclin B, while decreasing the expression of cyclin D^[3].?Vincristine induced neurotoxicity is caused by interference with microtubule function, which results in blockage of axonal transport and thus in axonal degeneration^[4]. In Vivo: Vincristine (3 mg/kg, i.p.) induces mean growth delay of > 120 and > 52 day, and repopulates fractions of 0.06% and 5%, administrated in mice bearing bilateral subcutaneous xenografts Rh12 or Rh18, respectively^[5].