Pronunciation guide
Click here to find out how vinorelbine works
Intravenous vinorelbine is used for the treatment of non-small cell
lung cancer (NSCLC) and breast cancer. It can be used either by itself or,
more commonly, in
combination with other drugs. The oral version of vinorelbine has
recently been developed to provide a more convenient option.
Is it effective?
Oral vinorelbine has been compared with intravenous (i.v.) vinorelbine in
clinical trials in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.
The trial found that the oral formulation of the drug was just as effective as
the i.v. formulation. 1
Oral vinorelbine has been studied by itself for the treatment of breast cancer
that has spread, and was found to be effective. 2
Trials are currently ongoing for oral vinorelbine in combination therapy for
breast cancer patients, for example in combination with capecitabine.
2
How is it taken?
-
As a capsule with water following a light meal once a week. 1
You should not take oral vinorelbine if:
-
You are
hypersensitive to any of the components in the capsules
-
You have increased susceptibility to infection
How does it work? 3
-
All cells, including cancer cells, need tiny structures inside them, called
microtubules, to help them divide
-
These microtubules are made up of proteins called tubulin
-
Vinorelbine is thought to interfere with the tubulin proteins, so that the
microtubules do not form
-
Without the microtubules, the cell cannot duplicate and multiply
-
Vinorelbine may also interfere with other processes that help the cancer cells
to divide
What are the side effects associated with oral
vinorelbine?
Like all types of chemotherapy, there are
side effects associated with oral vinorelbine. The most common side
effects associated with vinorelbine are: 4
-
Increased susceptibility to infection, due to a reduction in the number of
white blood cells
-
Nausea
-
Vomiting
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Diarrhoea
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Hair thinning/loss
-
Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
The information in this section is taken from
published literature and the summary of product characteristics for this drug.
For further patient information on vinorelbine please click on the UK Patient
Information leaflet found at
http://emc.medicines.org.uk/ and type in the word vinorelbine in the
‘quick search’ option box. Please contact your healthcare professional for
full information on product availability in your country.
References
-
Jassem J, Ramlau R, Karnicka-Modkowska H et al. A
multi-centre randomised phase II trial of oral vinorelbine versus intravenous
vinorelbine in advanced/metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. American
Journal of Clinical Oncology 2001; 14: 115-119.
-
Freyer G, Delozier T, Lichinster M et al. Phase II study of
oral vinorelbine in first-line advanced breast cancer chemotherapy. Journal of
Clinical Oncology 2003; 21(1): 35-40.
-
Aapro MS, Harper P, Johnson SA, Vermorken JB. Developments
in cytotoxic chemotherapy: advances in treatment utilising vinorelbine.
Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology 2001; 40: 251-263.
-
Vinorelbine Summary of Product Characteristics.
http://emc.medicines.org.uk/emc/assets/c/html/
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