noun
- a substance that interferes with normal metabolic processes by mimicking or blocking the action of a natural metabolite, often used in medicine to treat cancer or infections
Usage: technical; medical/pharmaceutical
Examples
- Methotrexate is an antimetabolite commonly used in cancer chemotherapy.
- The drug works as an antimetabolite by preventing cancer cells from synthesizing DNA.
- Antimetabolites can be effective against rapidly dividing cells in leukemia treatment.
- Researchers developed a new antimetabolite to target resistant bacterial infections.
- The antimetabolite disrupts the cell's ability to produce essential nutrients for growth.