noun
- Plural of cytotoxin; toxic substances produced by cells or organisms that damage or kill other cells.
Usage: technical; biology/medicine
Examples
- The immune system releases cytotoxins to destroy infected cells.
- Certain bacteria produce cytotoxins that damage the intestinal lining.
- Researchers studied how cytotoxins from snake venom affect nerve cells.
- Cancer cells sometimes secrete cytotoxins to suppress immune responses.
- The drug works by triggering cytotoxins that target tumor cells specifically.