Navelbine

Navelbine is a plant alkaloid used primarily for non-small cell lung cancer as well as Hodgkin's disease and cancers of the breast and ovaries. Navelbine is a clear, intravenous fluid that doctors can choose to administer orally or intravenously.

Navelbine inhibits the development of cell structures inside tumors, causing apoptosis ("cell death"). Used in combination with cisplatin (a drug used to treat mesothelioma), Navelbine can be an effective treatment for reducing the size of a cancer and even bring about remission. Like other chemotherapy drugs however, Navelbine can damage normal healthy cells as well. Common side effects include hair loss, nausea, anemia and hemorrhaging.

Sources

Chemocare.com. "Chemotherapy Drugs: Navelbine."
http://www.chemocare.com/bio/navelbine.asp (2005, 3/18/2008)

Sweetmen et, al., eds. The Complete Drug Reference 35th edition. (Martindale: Pharmaceutical Press, 2006.)