bleomycin

[ blee-uh-mahy-sin ]

noun

, Pharmacology.

1. a cytotoxic antibiotic, C 55 H 84 N 17 O 21 S 3 , derived from the fermentation product of the bacterium Streptomyces certicillus, used in the management of certain epithelial cell and testicular carcinomas and malignant lymphomas.

bleomycin

/ ˌbliːəʊˈmaɪsɪn /

noun

1. a glycopeptide antibiotic drug used in the treatment of cancer and Hodgkin's Disease

Word History and Origins

Origin of bleomycin¹

1965–70; apparently alteration of phleomycin, an antibiotic derived earlier from the same source; initial elements phleo-, bleo- unexplained by originators; -mycin

Word History and Origins

Origin of bleomycin¹

C20: from bleo- unknown + -mycin