Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 August 2014
Vinblastine (VLB) and vincristine (VCR) are two alkaloids (extracted from the plant Catahranthus roseus) which possess a definite antitumor activity. The antitumor activity. The antimitotic action of these two alkaloids was studied both on normal bone marrow and leukemic cells. Comparative studies showed that they are, like colchicine, spindle poisons. They, however, differ from colchicine and its derivatives in some of their biological activities.
The problem of the relationship between antitumor and antimitotic activity of VLB and VCR is discussed.