vinca alkaloid

views updated

vinca alkaloid (ving-kă) n. one of a group of antimitotic drugs (see cytotoxic drug) derived from the periwinkle (Vinca rosea). Vinca alkaloids, usually administered intravenously, are used especially to treat leukaemias and lymphomas; they include vinblastine (Velbe), vincristine (Oncovin), and vindesine (Eldisine). They are highly toxic. See also vinorelbine.

More From encyclopedia.com