Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

VINLEUROSINE

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Derivative of an alkaloid, vincaleukoblastine, obtained from Vinca rosea (Catharancus
roseus - Apocynaceae). Related to vinblastine, an antineoplastic agent with anti- mitotic
properties (ie inhibits cell division) and immuno- suppressive activity.

SYNONYMS

C46-H56-N4-O9, "(3'-alpha, 4'-alpha)-4'-deoxy-3', 4'-epoxy-vincaleukoblastine", "(3'-
alpha, 4'-alpha)-4'-deoxy-3', 4'-epoxy-vincaleukoblastine", Leurosine, "vinca alkaloid",
"anti-cancer agent tumoristat tumouristat antineoplastic", cytotoxic

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Harmful in contact with skin.
Risk of serious damage to eyes.
May cause heritable genetic damage.
May impair fertility.
May cause harm to the unborn child.
Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through
inhalation.
Irritating to respiratory system and skin.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Accidental ingestion of the material may be seriously damaging to the health of the individual; animal experiments indicate that ingestion of less than 40 gram may be fatal.  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

  Skin contact with the material may be harmful; systemic effects may resultfollowing absorption.  This material can cause inflammation of the skin oncontact in some persons.  The material may accentuate any pre-existing dermatitis condition.  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

  Inhalation may produce serious health damage*.  The material can cause respiratory irritation in some persons. The body's response to such irritation can cause further lung damage.  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 exists from experimentation that reduced human fertility is directly caused by exposure to the material.  Ample evidence exists, from results in experimentation, that developmental disorders are directly caused by human exposure to the material.  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.  Vinca alkaloids are toxic to the nervous system. There may be general unwellness, headache, depression, hallucinations, "pins and needles", muscle damage, tendon reflex loss, neural inflammation of the extremities, constipation, and obstructed small bowel. The parotid gland (which produces saliva) may be painful and there can be convulsions.  · 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.  Bone marrow depression (especially leukopenia) is the most common side-effect of the congener substance, vinblastine. Dermatitis associated with exposure to sunlight has been reported following administration of vinblastine to a Hodgkin's disease sufferer.