paclitaxel

noun

pac·​li·​tax·​el ˌpa-kli-ˈtak-sᵊl How to pronounce paclitaxel (audio)
: an antineoplastic drug C47H51NO14 originally derived from the bark of the Pacific yew but now typically derived as a semisynthetic product of the English yew and used to treat ovarian cancer

Examples of paclitaxel in a Sentence

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Sure enough, this oral paclitaxel performed well – even better than a standard IV dose. — Michael Irving, New Atlas, 8 Oct. 2024 Carboplatin in particular — in combination with the chemotherapy drug paclitaxel — has remained unchallenged as the go-to for ovarian cancer, in particular when the treatment could be curative, rather than palliative. — Annalisa Merelli, STAT, 16 Aug. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Pacific yew + -litax- (perhaps from Taxus brevifolia) + -el (alteration of -ol entry 1 or -ol entry 3)

First Known Use

1992, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of paclitaxel was in 1992

Rhymes for paclitaxel

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“Paclitaxel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paclitaxel. Accessed 19 Mar. 2025.

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Medical Definition

paclitaxel

noun
pac·​li·​tax·​el ˌpak-li-ˈtak-səl How to pronounce paclitaxel (audio)
: an antineoplastic agent C47H51NO14 that was originally derived from the bark of a yew tree (Taxus brevifolia of the family Taxaceae) of the western United States and British Columbia but that is now typically derived as a semisynthetic product of the English yew (T. baccata) and is used to treat ovarian cancer which has not responded to conventional chemotherapy see taxol
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