Biological properties of Vincaleukoblastine, an alkaloid in Vinca rosea Linn, with reference to its antitumor action.

Some biological effects of a new alkaloid, Vincaleukoblastine (VLB), are described. In mice bearing the transplantable leukemias L1210, P1534, and AKr or Ehrlich ascites tumor, treatment with VLB effectively prolonged survival. The effectiveness of treatment depended on the amount and spacing of dosage and the time of tininstitution of treatment after transplantation. A single injection of VLB was highly active, but hourly doses were probably the most effective. VLB was also active when incubated with tumor cells. Transplanted or spontaneous mammary tumors in C3H mice also showed a reduced growth during treatment with VLB. Mice "cured" of AKr or P1534 transplanted leukemia by treatment with VLB