mercaptopurine

noun

mer·​cap·​to·​pu·​rine (ˌ)mər-ˌkap-tə-ˈpyu̇r-ˌēn 

: an antimetabolite C₅H₄N₄S that interferes especially with the metabolism of purine bases and the biosynthesis of nucleic acids and that is sometimes used in the treatment of acute leukemia

Examples of mercaptopurine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The next breakthrough, in 1950, was the development of 6-MP (mercaptopurine) by Gertrude Elion and George Hitchings, who would go on to receive the Nobel Prize. —Marie McCullough, https://www.inquirer.com, 6 June 2019

Using this targeted method, Elion helped develop such drugs as mercaptopurine, which changed childhood leukemia from a death-sentence to a condition that most survive. —Ray Cavanaugh, Time, 23 Jan. 2018

Word History

Etymology

mercaptan + -o- + purine

First Known Use

circa 1952, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for mercaptopurine

• antisubmarine
• catecholamine
• dichlorobenzene
• dimethylamine
• diphenylamine
• ethanolamine
• hydroxylamine
• isobutylene
• nucleoprotein
• penicillamine
• phenothiazine
• phenylalanine

Medical Definition

mercaptopurine

noun

mer·​cap·​to·​pu·​rine (ˌ)mər-ˌkap-tə-ˈpyu̇(ə)r-ˌēn 

: an antimetabolite C₅H₄N₄S that interferes especially with the metabolism of purine bases and the biosynthesis of nucleic acids and that is sometimes useful in the treatment of acute leukemia