aminopterin

noun

am·​i·​nop·​ter·​in ˌa-mə-ˈnäp-tə-rən 

: a derivative C₁₉H₂₀N₈O₅ of glutamic acid that is a folic acid antagonist and has been used as a rodenticide and antileukemic agent

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

In the late 1940s, legendary cancer researcher Sydney Farber and colleagues reported successfully treating acute leukemia in children with a new drug called aminopterin. —Gwen Nichols, STAT, 30 Dec. 2019

In 1947 aminopterin, a chemical which messes up cell division by interrupting the metabolism of folic acid, was found to produce remissions in children with acute leukaemia. —The Economist, 14 Sep. 2017

Word History

Etymology

amino + pteroylglutamic acid + -in

First Known Use

1948, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

aminopterin

noun

am·​i·​nop·​ter·​in ˌam-ə-ˈnäp-tə-rən 

: a derivative C₁₉H₂₀N₈O₅ of glutamic acid that is a folic acid antagonist and has been used as a rodenticide and antileukemic agent