Glossary Term:

Title

antimetabolites

Phonetic

<b>an</b>-tee-muh-<b>TAB</b>-o-lites or<b> an</b>-tie-muh-<b>TAB</b>-o-lites

Description

Substances that interfere with the body’s chemical processes, such as those that create proteins, such as deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and other chemicals needed for cell growth and reproduction. In treating cancer, antimetabolite drugs disrupt DNA production, which in turn prevents cell division and tumor growth.