camptothecin

noun

camp·​to·​the·​cin ˌkamp-tə-ˈthē-sən How to pronounce camptothecin (audio)
: an alkaloid C20H16N2O4 from the wood of a Chinese tree (Camptotheca acuminata of the family Nyssaceae) that has shown some antileukemic and anticancer activity in animal studies
also : a semisynthetic or synthetic derivative of this

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Cite this Entry

“Camptothecin.” Merriam-Webster.com Medical Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/camptothecin. Accessed 28 Apr. 2024.

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