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Vinorelbine ("Navelbine")

	What is Vinorelbine and how does it work? Vinorelbine is a relatively new chemotherapy drug that is very useful in the treatment of breast cancer. It is also used to treat certain forms of lung cancer and lymphoma. It is administered by slow intravenous infusion usually via a flowing intravenous infusion, or “drip”, over 20-30 minutes. It may be used as a single agent, or sometimes in combination with other chemotherapy drugs like Xeloda, 5-fluorouracil and Adriamycin. A variety of schedules are used. Sometimes the drug is given weekly, and sometimes on the 1st and 8th day, and sometimes the 15th day, of each monthly cycle. Vinorelbine is approved by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) (Australia) for patients with metastatic breast cancer who have failed previous chemotherapy with an anthracycline drug (like Adriamycin). Vinorelbine belongs to a class of anticancer drugs called the vinca alkaloids. The original member was derived from marine animals. The main action of the drug is to interfere with cell division by inhibition of mitosis at metaphase through interaction with the cellular protein, tubulin. Side Effects of Vinorelbine The main side-effects are considered in detail elsewhere – just follow the links to find out more about each one and to read some tips on how to manage and minimize the symptoms. They include: Alopecia (hair loss). Alopecia is mild but may appear progressively with extended courses of treatment. After treatment with vinorelbine has ended, normal hair growth should return. Nausea . This is an uncommon side-effect of single-agent vinorelbine and often strong anti-nausea drugs are not required at all. Constipation. Vinorelbine may cause temporary paralysis of intestinal motion because of its effects on the nerves that supply the gut. Strong laxatives may be prescribed by your doctor. It is important to maintain a good fluid intake – say 1500 mls per day, and eat plenty of bulking agents, like fruit. Low white blood cells and infection Altered menstrual cycle and early menopause . Loss of sensation (“Sensory neuropathy”). Vinorelbine causes reversible damage to the sensory nerves. This leads to “pins and needles” in the fingers and toes, and sometimes tenderness or odd burning sensations in the palms and soles, but especially the feet. It comes on after about two months of treatment, and may take as long as nine months to resolve after the treatment finishes. Not everyone gets this problem and some women seem much more sensitive to it than others. After prolonged treatment weakness of the lower extremities has also been reported. The effects are dose dependent but usually reversible when treatment is discontinued. Fatigue. Fatigue occurs in around 25% of patients. It was usually mild or moderate but tends to increase with cumulative dosing. Special precautions: Vinorelbine is a vesicant, which means it can damage soft tissues if it gets outside the blood vessels during administration. It should only be given into a god fast-flowing intravenous infusion. Vinorelbine may cause bronchospasm (asthma) if administered with the cytotoxic drug mitomycin-C. | AC | CMF | Dose-intense Chemotherapy | Paclitaxel ('Taxol') | Vinorelbine ('Navelbine') | Capecitabine ('Xeloda') | FAC | FEC | Docetaxel ('Taxotere') | Taxotere, Adriamycin and Cyclophosphamide 'TAC' | | Tamoxifen | Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer | After Treatment - What Now? | Causes of Breast Cancer | Breast Cancer Myths | Family History | Herceptin | Femara, Arimidex, Aromasin | Adjuvant Chemotherapy | Zoladex and Stopping the ovaries | Stage, Grade, Receptors | Zometa, Aredia and Bonefos | Alopecia from Hormonal Therapy | New treatments | Lapatinib 'Tykerb' | | What's New | FAQ Page | Living with chemotherapy | Dietary Advice | Exercise | The Flu Vaccine | Insomnia | Marijuana | Alternative Medicine | Managing Menopause | Advice to Carers | Breast Cancer | Pain | Useful Tips | Chemotherapy: The What and How | MRI Screening | | Your Cancer Information | | Return Home | New Patients | Services and Clinics | Useful Links | Contact Us | Download Page | Cancer Information |

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