Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

VINDESINE SULFATE

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

A synthetic alkaloid derived from vinblastine sulfate (vincaleukoblastine, obtained from
Vinca rosea, Catharancus roseus - Apocynaceae). Vindesine sulfate is an antineoplastic
agent with anti- mitotic properties (ie inhibits cell division). Also has immuno-
supressive activity. Used principally in combination chemo- therapy regimes for acute
leukemia, Hodgkin' s disease and other lymphomas.

SYNONYMS

C43-H55-N5-O7.H2SO4, "vincaleukoblastine, ", "3-(aminocarbonyl)-O(sup 4)-deacetyl-3-
de(methoxycarbonyl)- sulfate (1:1)", "3-(aminocarbonyl)-O(sup 4)-deacetyl-3-
de(methoxycarbonyl)- sulfate (1:1)", salt, "23-amino-O(sup 4)-deacetyl-23-
demethoxyvincaleukoblastine sulfate", "23-amino-O(sup 4)-deacetyl-23-
demethoxyvincaleukoblastine sulfate", DAVA, "desacetylvinblastine amide sulfate",
"vindesine sulphate", "vincaleukoblastine, 23-amino-O(sup 4)-deacetyl-23-demethoxy-,
sulfate", "vincaleukoblastine, 23-amino-O(sup 4)-deacetyl-23-demethoxy-, sulfate",
Eldesine, Eldisine, "Lilly 99094", "anti-cancer agent tumoristat tumouristat
antineoplastic", cytotoxic

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Very toxic if swallowed.
Risk of serious damage to eyes.
Possible risk of impaired fertility.
Possible risk of harm to the unborn child.
Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through
inhalation.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Severely toxic effects may result from the accidental ingestion of the material; animal experiments indicate that ingestion of less than 5 gram may be fatal or may produce serious damage to the health of the individual.  The killing action of antineoplastic drugs used for cancer chemotherapy is not selective for cancerous cells alone but affect all dividing cells. Acute side effects include loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, allergic reaction (skin rash, itch, redness, low blood pressure, unwellness and anaphylactic shock) and local irritation. Gout and renal failure can occur.  

EYE

  If applied to the eyes, this material causes severe eye damage.  

SKIN

  The material is not thought to be a skin irritant (as classified using animal models). Abrasive damage however, may result from prolonged exposures. Good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable gloves be used in an occupational setting.  Skin contact with the material may damage the health of the individual; systemic effects may result following absorption.  Open cuts, abraded or irritated skin should not be exposed to this material.  Entry into the blood-stream, through, for example, cuts, abrasions or lesions, may produce systemic injury with harmful effects. Examine the skin prior to the use of the material and ensure that any external damage is suitably protected.  

INHALED

  The material is not thought to produce respiratory irritation (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless inhalation of dusts, or fume, especially for prolonged periods, may produce respiratory discomfort and occasionally, distress.  Inhalation of dusts, generated by the material during the course of normal handling, may produce serious damage to the health of the individual.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation.  This material can cause serious damage if one is exposed to it for long periods. It can be assumed that it contains a substance which can produce severe defects. This has been demonstrated via both short- and long-term experimentation.  Ample evidence from experiments exists that there is a suspicionthis material directly reduces fertility.  Results in experiments suggest that this material may cause disorders in the development of the embryo or fetus, even when no signs of poisoning show in the mother.  There has been some concern that this material can cause cancer or mutations but there is not enough data to make an assessment.  Anti-cancer drugs used for chemotherapy can depress the bone marrow with reduction in the number of white blood cells and platelets and bleeding. Susceptibility to infections and bleeding is increased, which can be life- threatening. Digestive system effects may include inflammation of the mouth cavity, mouth ulcers, esophagus inflammation, abdominal pain and bleeds, diarrhea, bowel ulcers and perforation. Reversible hair loss can result and wound healing may be delayed. Long-term effects on the gonads may cause periods to stop and inhibit sperm production. Most anti-cancer drugs can potentially cause mutations and birth defects, and coupled with the effects of the suppression of the immune system, may also cause cancer.  · CAUTION: May produce immunosuppression in individuals occupationally exposed to the material.  Exposure to immunosuppressives may aggravate infectious diseases.  Chronic exposure to therapeutic doses of compounds which produce immunosuppression has been associated with development of lymphomas (occasionally malignant) and mammary tumours. These may be secondary effects induced by activation of endogenous retroviruses.  Increased incidences of neoplasms, in mice and humans, have been reported after long-term immunosuppression by azathioprine and cyclosporin. Cyclosporin has been classified as a human carcinogen, by IARC, based on development of lymphomas after repeated and prolonged exposures to therapeutic doses.