cyclosporine

[ sahy-kluh-spawr-een, -in, -spohr-, sik-luh- ]

noun

, Pharmacology.

1. a substance, synthesized by certain soil fungi, that suppresses the immune response by disabling helper T cells, used to minimize rejection of foreign tissue transplants.

cyclosporine

/ sī′klə-spôr′ēn,-ĭn /

1. A polypeptide obtained from any of various deuteromycete fungi, used as an immunosuppressive drug to prevent the rejection of transplanted organs.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cyclosporine¹

1975–80; < New Latin Cyclospor ( eae ) a class of brown algae ( cyclo-, -spore, -eae ) + -in ²

Example Sentences

Then, in the early 1970s, Dr. Calne learned of a new drug, cyclosporine.

From New York Times

He helped develop the breakthrough anti-rejection drug cyclosporine and was the first physician to administer it to transplant patients.

From Seattle Times

Cyclosporine, which helped turn transplantation into an established clinical practice, was one such drug.

From BBC

The drug was cyclosporine, an inexpensive immunosuppressant that had until then been used in organ transplants to prevent the rejection of new tissue.

From New York Times

Experimentation with cyclosporine soon stopped.

From New York Times