| folate antagonist | <pharmacology> One of a group of substances which blocks the formation of nucleotides that require the presence of folate (one of the B vitamins) before they can be made. The substance does this by blocking key steps in the reaction sequence. These substances are often used to treat cancer because fast-growing cancerous cells usually need to use the blocked reactions more than normal cells. (09 Oct 1997) |
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| folic acid antagonist | <pharmacology> A chemical which inhibits a cells capacity to use folic acid and so prevent cell division, for example methotrexate. See: chemotherapy. (12 Nov 1997) |