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
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
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mercaptopurine.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“Mercaptopurine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mercaptopurine. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
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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
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