Any of various thiol derivatives of purine; specifically 6-mercaptopurine, C₅H₄N₄S, an antineoplastic agent given orally in the treatment of leukaemia.
Origin
1950s; earliest use found in American Journal of the Medical Sciences. From mercapto- + purine.
Definition of mercaptopurine in US English:
mercaptopurine
noun
Medicine
Any of various thiol derivatives of purine; specifically 6-mercaptopurine, C₅H₄N₄S, an antineoplastic agent given orally in the treatment of leukaemia.
Origin
1950s; earliest use found in American Journal of the Medical Sciences. From mercapto- + purine.