Vinblastine (Velban)

General information

Class/mechanism: Vinca alkaloid, inhibits microtubule formation in the mitotic spindle, causing cell cycle arrest in metaphase.
Route: IV
Extravasation: vesicant

For conciseness and simplicity, HemOnc.org currently will focus on treatment regimens and not list information such as: renal/hepatic dose adjustments, metabolism (including CYP450), excretion, monitoring parameters (although this will be considered for checklists), or manufacturer. Instead, for the most current information, please refer to your preferred pharmacopeias such as Micromedex, Lexicomp, UpToDate (courtesy of Lexicomp), or the prescribing information.

Patient drug information

• Vinblastine (Velban) patient drug information (Chemocare)
• Vinblastine (Velban) patient drug information (UpToDate)

Diseases for which it is used

• Lymphoma
  • Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
  • HIV-associated lymphoma
  • Classical Hodgkin lymphoma
  • Hodgkin lymphoma, nodular lymphocyte-predominant
• Kaposi sarcoma
• Langerhans cell histiocytosis
• Non-small cell lung cancer
• Soft tissue sarcoma
  • Desmoid tumors
• Testicular cancer
• Urothelial carcinoma
  • Bladder cancer

Diseases for which it was used

• Breast cancer
• Head and neck cancer
• Melanoma
• Prostate cancer
• Renal cell carcinoma
• Small cell lung cancer

History of changes in FDA indication

• 1961: Initial approval (unclear details)
• 1965-11-25: Initial approval as Velban
• Uncertain date: Approved for generalized Hodgkin's disease (Stages III and IV, Ann Arbor modification of Rye staging system). (No supporting studies are cited)
• Uncertain date: Approved for lymphocytic lymphoma (nodular and diffuse, poorly and well differentiated). (No supporting studies are cited)
• Uncertain date: Approved for histiocytic lymphoma. (No supporting studies are cited)
• Uncertain date: Approved for mycosis fungoides (advanced stages). (No supporting studies are cited)
• Uncertain date: Approved for advanced carcinoma of the testis. (Based on Loehrer et al. 1988)
• Uncertain date: Approved for Kaposi's sarcoma. (No supporting studies are cited)
• Uncertain date: Approved for Letterer-Siwe disease (histiocytosis X). (No supporting studies are cited)
• Uncertain date: Approved for choriocarcinoma resistant to other chemotherapeutic agents. (No supporting studies are cited)
• Uncertain date: Approved for carcinoma of the breast, unresponsive to appropriate endocrine surgery and hormonal therapy. (No supporting studies are cited)

Also known as

• Generic names: chlorhexamide, vinblastine sulfate, vinblastine sulphate, vincaleukoblastine, VLB
• Brand names:

Synonyms
Alkaban-AQ	Blastovin	Cellblastin	Cytoblastine	Erbablas
Exal	Faulblastina	Lemblastine	Periblastine	Rabinefil
Velban	Velbastine	Velbe	Vinblasin	Vinblastin
Vinblastina