cyclosporine

American  

[sahy-kluh-spawr-een, -in, -spohr-, sik-luh-] / ˌsaɪ kləˈspɔr in, -ɪn, -ˈspoʊr-, ˌsɪk lə- /

Also cyclosporin

noun

Pharmacology.

1. a substance, synthesized by certain soil fungi, that suppresses the immune response by disabling helper T cells, used to minimize rejection of foreign tissue transplants.

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cyclosporine Scientific  

/ sī′klə-spôr′ēn,-ĭn /

1. A polypeptide obtained from any of various deuteromycete fungi, used as an immunosuppressive drug to prevent the rejection of transplanted organs.

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Etymology

Origin of cyclosporine

1975–80; < New Latin Cyclospor ( eae ) a class of brown algae ( cyclo-, -spore, -eae ) + -in ²

Example Sentences

He helped develop the breakthrough anti-rejection drug cyclosporine and was the first physician to administer it to transplant patients.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 7, 2024

Isolated from a soil fungus found in Africa, cyclosporine was synthesized as an immunosuppressant by the pharmaceutical company Sandoz in 1980, and after wide testing was released into the market in 1983.

From Washington Post • Sep. 30, 2019

Immunosuppressive drugs such as cyclosporine A have made transplants more successful, but matching the MHC molecules is still key.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

This was right around the time cyclosporine was first being used.

From New York Times • Nov. 26, 2012

Because they dampen the body’s disease-fighting systems, drugs most commonly used, cyclosporine and tacrolimus, are associated with infections, tumors and kidney damage, Sher said.

From BusinessWeek • Jan. 17, 2011