vincristine + cyclophosphamide + dexamethasone

A combination chemotherapy regimen consisting of the vinca alkaloid vincristine, the alkylating agent cyclophosphamide, and the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone. Vincristine acts as a microtubule inhibitor by binding to tubulin, leading to mitotic arrest and apoptosis. Cyclophosphamide is a nitrogen mustard prodrug that is metabolically activated to form DNA-crosslinking metabolites, which interfere with DNA replication and transcription. Dexamethasone is a potent corticosteroid that induces apoptosis in lymphoid cells and provides anti-inflammatory effects. This specific combination name appears to be a mis-expansion of the 'VCD' acronym used in clinical trials at Peking University People's Hospital for multiple myeloma; in those specific trials (e.g., NCT01972334), 'VCD' typically refers to the combination of bortezomib (Velcade), cyclophosphamide, and dexamethasone (also known as CyBorD). However, per the input name, this entry describes the vincristine-containing variant.

Other names

VCD regimen