anticancer

adjective

an·​ti·​can·​cer
ˌan-ˌtē-ˈkan(t)-sər
ˌan-tī- How to pronounce anticancer (audio)
: used against or tending to arrest or prevent cancer
anticancer drugs
anticancer activity
anticancer effects

Examples of anticancer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In tests, the team found that the cells became highly active and experienced rapid growth in the face of the anticancer drug, doxorubicin. New Atlas, 8 Nov. 2025 The researchers also engineered a drug delivery system called A5-LNP-DOX, which combines the A5 nanobody with liposomal capsules containing the anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX). Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Aug. 2025 Additionally, a University of Florida study found an experimental mRNA vaccine paired with anticancer drugs boosted an anti-tumor response. Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2025 The studies suggested that curcumin demonstrated some anticancer effects. Regina C. Windsor, Mph, Rdn, Verywell Health, 30 Apr. 2025 This was striking and unexpected because researchers had assumed that p53 has an anticancer effect by directly regulating the activity of genes. Viviane Callier, Quanta Magazine, 21 Mar. 2025 There were antibiotics derived from fungi, anticancer drugs from plants and painkillers from animal venom. Emily Elconin, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of anticancer was in 1847

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Cite this Entry

“Anticancer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anticancer. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.

Medical Definition

anticancer

adjective
an·​ti·​can·​cer ˌant-i-ˈkan(t)-sər, ˌan-ˌtī- How to pronounce anticancer (audio)
: used or effective against cancer
anticancer drugs
anticancer activity
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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