First Known Use: circa 1952
Dictionary
mercaptopurine
noun mer·cap·to·pu·rine \(ˌ)mər-ˌkap-tə-ˈpyu̇r-ˌēn\
Definition of MERCAPTOPURINE
: 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
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Origin of MERCAPTOPURINE
mercaptan + -o- + purine
Medical Dictionary
mercaptopurine
noun mer·cap·to·pu·rine \(ˌ)mər-ˌkap-tə-ˈpyu̇(ə)r-ˌēn\
Medical Definition of MERCAPTOPURINE
: 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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