Vinoralbine

hannah · 01-17-2007, 01:51 PM

Hi
has anybody had vinoralbine that has worked on brain mets. My sister on xeloda for 1 yr which actually shrunk the brain mets, they have now started progressing so onc suggests this as running out of option would appreciate ny help.
Hannah

MGordon · 01-17-2007, 02:16 PM

Lisa was treated with Navelbine but did not tolerate it well. If there was a "possible" side effect listed - she had it. Including hair Loss (supossedly somewhat rare with Navelbine and her third total hair loss). I think she hated the neuropathy the most (numb and tinlgy hands and feet - difficulty with any hand dexterity like buttons and zippers).

My memory is anything but spotless - but I do not believe that Navelbine penetrates an intact blood/brain barrier yet - but I think they are working on platinum-based antieoplastics injected into the central nervous system to reach the brain - Navelbine is alkaloid-based. Has she had WBR? I think they would need to use it in conjunction with a platinum-based compound in any event.

It is used primarily for B/C and Lung cancer, but can be used for Cervical and Ovarian cancer as well. Your onc will want to watch the billirubin levels VERY carefully. I also seem to remember that the University of Florida was studying combining Navelbine with Gemzar and a platinum compound for b/c brain mets.

Sorry but my info is probably dated since Lisa was off of Navelbine over 18 months ago.

Hope SOMETHING in here helps.

Love and Light
Mel

hannah · 01-18-2007, 01:23 AM

Than mel
my sisters blood/brain barrier is no longer intact, on discussion with neuro onc he told us brain mets and WBR make it leaky. The 2 previous chemos have got into brain and shrunk the brain mets so we are hoping.
hannah

StephN · 01-18-2007, 12:34 PM

Hello Hannah -

I also took Navelbine, but along with Taxol and Herceptin for organ mets. At that time I did not have brain mets, but these drugs could have gotten through to my brain during that treatment period. I always thought the Taxol had a better chance of penetrating my BBB.

Navelbine is an "antimicrotubule" which means that it kills the cancer cells when they are dividing and vulnerable. It can be very effective as it was for me.

When my brain mets came I was only on Herceptin. But only had the two and none since that time.

I wish any treatment they choose to work for your sister.