etoposide

Definition of etoposide
National Cancer Institute

etoposide

(ee-toh-POH-side)
The active ingredient in a drug used with other drugs to treat small cell lung cancer and certain types of testicular cancer. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Etoposide blocks a certain enzyme needed for cell division and DNA repair, and it may kill cancer cells. It is a type of podophyllotoxin derivative and a type of topoisomerase inhibitor. Also called VP-16.

Source: NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms