Pharmacologic Substance
folate antagonist Audio
fo·late an·tag·o·nist [ foh-leyt an-tag-uh-nist ]
Subclass of:
Enzyme Inhibitors
Definitions related to folic acid antagonists:
  • (folate antagonist) A compound with a chemical structure similar to folic acid. Folate antagonists inhibit one or more folate-dependent enzymes, resulting in decreased DNA, RNA and protein synthesis.
    NCI
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
  • (folate antagonist) A substance that blocks the activity of folic acid. Folate antagonists are used to treat cancer.
    NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
  • Inhibitors of the enzyme, dihydrofolate reductase (TETRAHYDROFOLATE DEHYDROGENASE), which converts dihydrofolate (FH2) to tetrahydrofolate (FH4). They are frequently used in cancer chemotherapy. (From AMA, Drug Evaluations Annual, 1994, p2033)
    NLM Medical Subject Headings
    U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2025
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