Two patients receive vinca alkaloids: one on vincristine for Hodgkin lymphoma and one on vinblastine for testicular cancer. The principal difference between their dose-limiting toxicities is that:

• A Vincristine causes myelosuppression while vinblastine causes neuropathy
• B Vinblastine is neurotoxic only when given with cisplatin
• C Both cause identical degrees of neuropathy and myelosuppression
• D Vincristine causes peripheral neuropathy while vinblastine causes myelosuppression ✓

Explanation

Although both agents bind tubulin and block microtubule assembly, vincristine's dose-limiting toxicity is peripheral neuropathy with relative marrow sparing, whereas vinblastine produces marked myelosuppression as its dose-limiting effect with less neuropathy. This inverse pattern is a classic examination point and guides regimen design, allowing full-dose vincristine in protocols where counts matter. No interaction with cisplatin changes this profile.

Reference: Katzung Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, 15th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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