autocrine

adjective

au·​to·​crine ˈȯ-tō-ˌkrin 

: of, relating to, promoted by, or being a substance secreted by a cell and acting on surface receptors of the same cell compare paracrine

Word History

Etymology

auto- + -crine (in endocrine entry 1)

Note: The term was introduced by Michael B. Sporn and George J. Todaro in "Autocrine Secretion and Malignant Transformation of Cells," New England Journal of Medicine, vol. 303, no. 15 (October 9, 1980), pp. 878-80.

First Known Use

1980, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

autocrine

adjective

au·​to·​crine -krin 

: of, relating to, promoted by, or being a substance secreted by a cell and acting on surface receptors of the same cell

autocrine stimulation of T cell growth

autocrine growth of some breast cancers

—M. E. Lippman

compare paracrine