# mercaptopurine

> English word · Noun · IPA /mɜːˌkap.tə(ʊ)ˈp(j)ʊə.ɹiːn/

## Definitions
1. An thiol antimetabolite C₅H₄N₄S that interferes especially with the metabolism of purine bases and the biosynthesis of nucleic acids and that is sometimes used in the treatment of acute leukemia.

## Etymology
From mercapto- + purine.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/mercaptopurine