Vincristine
A plant-derived chemotherapy from the Madagascar periwinkle that has been in almost every childhood leukaemia and lymphoma regimen since the 1960s.
Approved 1963. Component of CHOP, ABVD-era regimens, ALL induction/maintenance, VAC/VDC (rhabdomyosarcoma, Ewing), Wilms tumour (VA/DD-4A), neuroblastoma and medulloblastoma regimens, EMA-CO. Fatal if given intrathecally; vincristine shortages (2019) disrupted paediatric care. Liposomal vincristine (Marqibo, 2012) for Ph-negative ALL was discontinued 2022.
- Medicare
- Part B (clinician-administered)
Given by infusion or injection in a clinic or hospital outpatient department, so it is a Part B drug: Medicare pays 80% after the Part B deductible and the patient owes 20% coinsurance, uncapped in Original Medicare unless a Medigap policy applies. Generic; Marqibo (liposomal) was discontinued.
- Commercial insurance
- covered on label
Multi-source generic; covered under the medical benefit without prior authorisation in most plans, as part of standard regimens.
Sources: Medicare.gov: Chemotherapy · Medicare.gov: Prescription drugs (outpatient, Part B). Not medical or financial advice; verify with your plan.
- Notes
- Long-established generic: never subject to a technology appraisal; funded routinely through hospital formularies and NHS England systemic anti-cancer therapy protocols.
- NHS England
- Routinely funded for the appraised indication (or via managed access)
Sources: NICE search: vincristine. Funding decisions are indication-specific and change monthly; verify with NICE and your treating team.
Approvals
| Region | Year | Indication |
|---|---|---|
| US | 1963 | Acute leukaemia; Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, neuroblastoma, Wilms tumour |
Trials
topRecruiting now (live from ClinicalTrials.gov)
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Latest papers
topQuery for this drug: (TITLE:"Vincristine" OR ABSTRACT:"Vincristine" OR TITLE:"Oncovin" OR ABSTRACT:"Oncovin" OR TITLE:"Marqibo" OR ABSTRACT:"Marqibo") AND (cancer OR tumor OR tumour OR oncology OR carcinoma OR lymphoma OR leukemia OR leukaemia OR myeloma OR sarcoma OR melanoma OR glioma). Results are unfiltered search hits about Vincristine, not a curated reading list.