poly I:C

noun

ˌpä-lē-ˈī-ˈsē 

variants or less commonly poly I·poly C

ˌpä-lē-ˈī-ˌpä-lē-ˈsē 

: a synthetic 2-stranded RNA that induces interferon formation and is composed of one strand consisting entirely of cytosine-containing nucleotides and one strand consisting entirely of inosine-containing nucleotides

Word History

Etymology

poly- + inosinic acid + cytidylic acid

First Known Use

1969, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

poly I:C

noun

ˌpäl-ē-ˈī-ˈsē 

: a synthetic 2-stranded RNA composed of one strand of polyinosinic acid and one strand of polycytidylic acid that induces interferon formation and has been used experimentally as an anticancer and antiviral agent

called also poly I·poly C