Antimetabolites are a class of drugs that are used to treat cancer and other diseases. They work by interfering with the normal metabolic processes of cells, which can prevent the growth and spread of cancer cells. In this article, we will define and explore the meaning of antimetabolites.
Definitions
Antimetabolites are drugs that interfere with the normal metabolic processes of cells. They are designed to mimic the structure of natural metabolites, which are essential for cell growth and division. When an antimetabolite enters a cell, it can disrupt the normal metabolic pathways and prevent the cell from dividing and growing.
Origin
The term “antimetabolite” was first used in the 1940s to describe a class of drugs that were being developed to treat cancer. The word “antimetabolite” comes from the Greek words “anti” meaning against, and “metabolite” meaning a substance produced by metabolism.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, an antimetabolite is “a substance that interferes with the normal metabolic processes of a cell, especially one that is used to treat cancer.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines antimetabolite as “a drug that inhibits the use of a metabolite by a cell, thereby interfering with its normal metabolic processes.”
Associations
Antimetabolites are commonly used in chemotherapy to treat cancer. They can also be used to treat other diseases, such as autoimmune disorders and viral infections. Some examples of antimetabolites include methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil, and azathioprine.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of antimetabolite include metabolic inhibitor, metabolic antagonist, and metabolic disruptor.
Antonyms
There are no commonly accepted antonyms for antimetabolite.
The same root words
The root words of antimetabolite are “anti,” meaning against, and “metabolite,” meaning a substance produced by metabolism. Other words that contain the root word “metabolite” include metabolism, metabolite, and metabolic.
Example Sentences
- The patient was prescribed an antimetabolite to treat their cancer.
- The drug works by mimicking a natural metabolite and disrupting the cell’s metabolic processes.
- Antimetabolites are commonly used in chemotherapy to prevent cancer cells from growing and dividing.
- The drug is an effective metabolic inhibitor that can be used to treat autoimmune disorders.
- The researchers discovered a new antimetabolite that could be used to treat viral infections.