Suppression of Immune Response by ‘Vincristine’ and ‘Vinblastine’

Abstract

CHEMICAL suppression of immunological responsiveness has been achieved in recent years by several classes of compounds. In particular, the alkalating agents¹, the antipurines² and the folic acid antagonists³ have been effective chemicals. However, since none of these drugs has offered complete suppression under conditions of clinical trial, the discovery of new classes of chemicals which inhibit immune reactions remains an important objective. The double indole-indoline alkaloids⁴ ‘Vincristine’ (vincristine sulphate) and ‘Vinblastine’ (vincaleukoblastine sulphate) were isolated from the common periwinkle plant Vinca rosea by two groups of investigators working independently^5,6. Since these compounds have been effective growth inhibitors of a variety of lymphoid neoplasms^7–9, it appeared worth while to investigate their effects on immune responses. This communication reports inhibition of antibody formation and delayed hypersensitivity to bovine serum albumin in rats following administration of the two drugs.