paclitaxel

English

Etymology

From Taxus brevifolia + Latin (brevifo)li(a) + -taxel (“alteration of taxol”).

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˌpak.lɪˈtak.sɛl/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˌpæk.lɪˈtæk.sl̩/

Noun

paclitaxel (uncountable)

1. (pharmacology) A taxane antineoplastic drug C₄₇H₅₁NO₁₄ originally isolated from the bark of the Pacific yew, Taxus brevifolia, but now typically derived as a semisynthetic product of the English yew; it interferes with microtubule function and inhibits cell division, and is used in the treatment of some cancers, especially those of the breast and ovary.

Derived terms

• paclitaxel ceribate
• paclitaxel poliglumex
• paclitaxel trevatide
• -taxel (“antineoplastic”)

References

• “paclitaxel”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.
• “paclitaxel”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.