NCIt definition : A water-soluble, folate-receptor-targeted conjugate of folate and the vinca alkaloid
desacetylvinblastine monohydrazide (DAVLBH) with potential antineoplastic activity.
The folate moiety of vintafolide binds to folic acid receptors on the tumor cell surface
and the agent is internalized via folate receptor-mediated endocytosis, delivering
the tubulin-binding DAVLBH moiety directly into the tumor cell; DAVLBH binding to
tubulin results in the disruption of microtubule assembly-disassembly dynamics, cell
cycle arrest, and tumor cell apoptosis. Folic acid receptors are frequently upregulated
on the surfaces of many tumor cell types. DAVLBH is a derivative of the natural product
vinblastine.;