VINCRISTINE IN THE TREATMENT OF NEOPLASTIC DISEASE.

Seventy-eight patients with advanced malignant disease were treated with vincristine, an alkaloid derived from Vinca rosea Linn. Fifty-nine of these survived one month from the beginning of treatment and could be evaluated. Twenty made a good response, with return to activity and more than 75% regression of tumour deposits. Seven made a fair response with resumption of partial activity and at least a 25% regression of tumour deposits. Favourable results were seen in patients with Hodgkin's disease, reticulum cell sarcoma, lymphosarcoma, carcinoma of the breast, acute leukemia and choriocarcinoma. The duration of remission was usually brief but in five instances exceeded six months. Toxic reactions include a high incidence of alopecia and neurologic complications. The bone marrow depression is constant and predictable.