vincristine

[vin-kris-teen]

noun

Pharmacology.

1. an alkaloid, C 46 H 56 N 4 O 10 , derived from the periwinkle, Vinca rosea, used in the management of leukemias and lymphomas.

vincristine

/ vɪnˈkrɪstiːn /

noun

1. a cytotoxic drug used in the treatment of leukaemia, derived as an alkaloid from the tropical shrub Madagascar periwinkle ( Vinca rosea )

Word History and Origins

Origin of vincristine¹

1960–65; < New Latin Vin ( ca ) a periwinkle genus + Latin crist ( a ) crest + -ine ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of vincristine¹

C20: from New Latin _vinca + Latin crista crest + _-ine ²

Example Sentences

Hospitals face drug shortages all the time, like the widely used vincristine for childhood cancer.

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“He can relapse. The cancer can come back,” said Paz, after a vital round of chemotherapy was delayed by a week in mid-January due to vincristine shortages in his Mexico City hospital.

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Paying more would encourage drug companies to prioritize drugs like vincristine, a critical cancer medicine for children that now sells for just $8 a vial.

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The drug, vincristine, was produced by both Teva Pharmaceuticals and Pfizer Inc. in the U.S. until July, when the former discontinued making it.

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“There is no substitution for vincristine that can be recommended,” Dr. Unguru said.

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