Vinorelbine, also known by the brand name Navelbine, is a chemotherapy drug that has been tested as a second-line treatment for mesothelioma, both as a single agent and in combination with other drugs such as cisplatin or gemcitabine.
Written by Karen Selby, RN | Medically Reviewed by Dr. Jeffrey Velotta | Edited by Walter Pacheco | Last Update: February 9, 2026
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Vinorelbine belongs to a family of chemotherapy drugs known as vinca alkaloids. They were first created from extracts of the periwinkle plant. Researchers discovered the antitumor effects of this drug in 1959.
Vinorelbine is classified as an antineoplastic agent. It binds to microtubular proteins in cells. Microtubules aid cell reproduction. Vinorelbine prevents cancer cells from reproducing and leads to their self-destruction.
Doctors administer vinorelbine in cycles of six weekly intravenous (IV) injections. This varies based on the patient’s health factors and whether vinorelbine is combined with another chemotherapy drug.
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Find Your DoctorVinorelbine regimens are not as effective as pemetrexed and cisplatin treatment for mesothelioma. Vinorelbine has shown some effectiveness and has relatively low toxicity. Doctors have continued to explore its value as a palliative or second-line therapy.
A 2017 study reviewed second-line chemotherapy treatment for mesothelioma. International guidelines include vinorelbine as a suggested drug. Yet the research evidence supporting its use is inconclusive.
The Wales Cancer Trials Unit is studying the effectiveness of vinorelbine as a second-line treatment. The researchers also aim to determine whether the BRCA1 gene is required for vinorelbine to cause cancer-cell death.
A 2021 study discovered that vinorelbine is less effective in people with a BRCA1/MAD2L1 genetic deficiency.
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Selby, K. (2026, February 9). Vinorelbine. Asbestos.com. Retrieved February 10, 2026, from https://www.asbestos.com/treatment/chemotherapy/vinorelbine/
Selby, Karen. "Vinorelbine." Asbestos.com, 9 Feb 2026, https://www.asbestos.com/treatment/chemotherapy/vinorelbine/.
Selby, Karen. "Vinorelbine." Asbestos.com. Last modified February 9, 2026. https://www.asbestos.com/treatment/chemotherapy/vinorelbine/.
Dr. Velotta is a leading thoracic surgeon and pleural mesothelioma specialist at Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center and a Clinical Assistant Surgical Professor at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine. With more than 15 years of experience, he leads research efforts in minimally invasive lung cancer surgery, pain management post-thoracic surgery and multimodal mesothelioma treatment. He is recognized for advancing image-guided surgical techniques and improving regional access to specialized mesothelioma care.
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