The "News Express" column serves as a bridge between cutting-edge research and clinical practice, enabling hematology enthusiasts and professionals to swiftly capture industry dynamics, ignite innovative thinking, and broaden their professional perspectives. Hematology Frontier carefully selects the latest hematological research findings from top global journals. Each article is a brilliant spark of science and clinical practice, delivering the latest advancements in hematology directly to you. Let knowledge know no boundaries, and let exploration never cease. We invite you to follow the column and join global hematology experts on a journey of scientific discovery! This issue features a review article from Pediatric Blood & Cancer on the role of Vinca alkaloids, a must-read.Vinca alkaloids, especially vincristine and vinblastine, derived from the Madagascar periwinkle, are pivotal chemotherapy drugs in the treatment of cancers like acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). These compounds are secondary metabolites, evolved as part of the plant’s adaptation to its local ecosystem, highlighting the importance of preserving biodiversity, as there may be other undiscovered natural therapeutics waiting to be found.
Vincristine, approved by the FDA in 1963, has become a cornerstone in chemotherapy, particularly in ALL treatment. It’s also used to treat various other cancers. Vinblastine, structurally similar to vincristine, has a more limited application, primarily in the treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma.
As mitotic inhibitors, Vinca alkaloids work by preventing microtubule assembly, thus halting cell division and leading to apoptosis. While the periwinkle plant has been used in traditional medicine, it was Canadian scientists Noble and Beer who, while studying its effects on blood sugar levels, unexpectedly discovered its impact on white blood cells, leading to the identification of vinblastine.
Through screening periwinkle extracts in mouse models, Gordon Svoboda and Irving Johnson successfully isolated vincristine. Clinical studies have shown that vincristine and vinblastine are highly effective in treating Hodgkin lymphoma, becoming part of the standard treatment regimen. In pediatric ALL, vincristine has demonstrated high remission rates and, when combined with prednisone, can enhance efficacy while reducing toxicity.
The discovery of Vinca alkaloids has had a profound impact on drug development and cancer treatment, revolutionizing ALL therapy and providing valuable insights for the treatment of other cancers. These discoveries underscore the critical role of scientific research in advancing medicine and continue to inspire scientists to pursue medical research for the betterment of human health.
