vinca alkaloid

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vinca alkaloid (ving-kă) n. one of a group of antimitotic drugs (see cytotoxic drug) derived from the periwinkle (Vinca rosea). Vinca alkaloids, usually administered intravenously, are used especially to treat leukaemias and lymphomas; they include vinblastine (Velbe), vincristine (Oncovin), and vindesine (Eldisine). They are highly toxic. See also vinorelbine.