doxorubicin

noun doxo·ru·bi·cin \ ˌdäk-sə-ˈrü-bə-sən \

Definition of doxorubicin

: an antibiotic with broad antineoplastic activity that is obtained from a bacterium (Streptomyces peucetius) and is administered in the form of its hydrochloride C₂₇H₂₉NO₁₁·HCl

Recent Examples of doxorubicin from the Web

The greatest risk is from the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin, an anthracyclin.

— NBC News, "Breast cancer treatments may increase heart risk, doctors warn," 2 Feb. 2018
The chemotherapy drug, doxorubicin, damaged Shae's heart, but her cancer required the most aggressive treatment possible to stop the tumors from spreading.

— david haugh, chicagotribune.com, "Two Chicago Marathon runners connected by one transplanted heart," 29 Sep. 2017
Cheresh added that doxorubicin, which has already been approved for human use, is merely one example of what could be achieved through the nanotherapeutic use of other, highly toxic drugs.

— brandon keim, WIRED, "Drug-Infused Nanoparticles Stop Cancer From Spreading," 7 July 2008

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'doxorubicin.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of doxorubicin

deoxy- + -orubicin (as in daunorubicin)

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1971

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

doxorubicin

noun doxo·ru·bi·cin \ ˌdäk-sə-ˈrü-bə-sən \

medical Definition of doxorubicin

: an anthracycline antibiotic with broad antineoplastic activity that is obtained from a bacterium of the genus Streptomyces (S. peucetius) and is administered in the form of its hydrochloride C₂₇H₂₉NO₁₁·HCl

Note: Doxorubicin is marketed under the trademark Adriamycin and is used in combination with other drugs in the treatment of Hodgkin's lymphoma ((see abvd)).