methotrexate

American  

[meth-oh-trek-seyt] / ˌmɛθ oʊˈtrɛk seɪt /

noun

Pharmacology.

1. a toxic folic acid analogue, C 2 0 H 2 2 N 8 O 5 , that inhibits cellular reproduction, used primarily in the treatment of psoriasis and certain cancers and as an immunosuppressive agent.

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methotrexate British  

/ ˌmɛθəʊˈtrɛkseɪt, ˌmiːθəʊ- /

noun

1. an antimetabolite drug used in the treatment of certain cancers. Formula: C 20 H 22 N 8 O 5

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methotrexate Scientific  

/ mĕth′ə-trĕk′sāt /

1. A toxic drug that acts as a folic acid antagonist to interfere with cellular reproduction and is used in the treatment of psoriasis, certain cancers, and certain inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Chemical formula: C ₂₀ H ₂₂ N ₈ O ₅ .

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Etymology

Origin of methotrexate

1950–55; metho(xy)- + trexate, of unclear derivation

Example Sentences

The researchers also showed that the gamma treatment improved the signs of chemo brain in mice that received a different chemotherapy drug, methotrexate, which is used to treat breast, lung, and other types of cancer.

From Science Daily

Published in The Lancet, the paper investigated methotrexate, a low-cost, effective treatment for inflammatory joint conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis.

From Science Daily

The study led by King's College London, compared the safety and efficacy of ciclosporin with methotrexate in children and young people with this debilitating skin condition.

From Science Daily

Isabella McDonald, then a junior at Utah Valley University, was diagnosed in April with a rare, often fatal bone cancer, whose sole treatment for young adults includes the drug methotrexate.

From Scientific American

A good example is the use of methotrexate, which is the standard treatment for ectopic pregnancy.

From Seattle Times