AACR
American Association for Cancer Research (foundation)
The American Association for Cancer Research’s (AACR) mission is to prevent and cure cancer through research, education, communication, and collaboration. Through its programs and services, the organization fosters research in cancer and related biomedical science, accelerates the dissemination of new research findings among scientists and others dedicated to the conquest of cancer, promotes science education and training, and advances the understanding of cancer etiology, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment throughout the world. The organization accelerates progress in the conquest of cancer by providing financial support for scientific research, education, and communication. More…
Ab
Antibody
An antibody, also known as an immunoglobulin, is a large Y-shaped protein produced by the body’s immune system that identifies and neutralize foreign objects such as bacteria and viruses.
ACE
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme
An angiotensin converting enzyme is proteolytic enzyme that converts the physiologically inactive form of angiotensin (a peptide hormone that causes vasoconstriction and a subsequent increase in blood pressure) into the active vasoconstrictive form.
ACTH
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
An adrenocorticotropic hormone or ACTH (also called corticotropin or adrenocorticotropin) is a polypeptide hormone formed in the pituitary gland that regulates the activity of the outer region or cortex of the adrenal gland.
ADC
Antibody-drug conjugates
Antibody-drug conjugates or ADCs represent an innovative therapeutic application that combines the unique properties of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) with the potent cell killing activity of cytotoxic small molecule drugs. The key components of antibody-drug conjugates include a monoclonal antibody (mAbs), a stable linkers and a cytotoxic (anticancer) agents.
Monoclonal antibodies are attached to biologically active drugs by chemical linkers with labile bonds. By combining the unique targeting of mAbs with the cancer-killing ability of cytotoxic drugs, antibody-drug conjugates allow sensitive discrimination between healthy and diseased tissue.
Antibody-drug conjugates are part of a specialized and technically challenging type of therapy combining innovations from biotechnology and chemistry to form a new class of highly potent biopharmaceutical drugs. The unique property of antibody-drug conjugates is that these so-called armed antibodies selectively dispatch highly potent cytotoxic anticancer chemotherapies directly to cancer cells while, at the same time, leaving healthy tissue unaffected. [More…]
ADCC
Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity
Antibody?dependent cell cytotoxicity or ADCC is the killing of an antibody bound target cells (virus?infected or tumour cells) by a cytotoxic effector cell through a nonphagocytic process, characterised by the release of the content of cytotoxic granules or by the expression of cell death?inducing molecules. Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity is triggered through interaction of target?bound antibodies, belonging to IgG, IgA or IgE classes, with certain Fc receptors (FcRs), glycoproteins present on the effector cell surface that bind the Fc region of immunoglobulins (Ig). [Jean-Luc Teillaud. Antibody-dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity (ADCC) eLS [Article]
ADME
Absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion
In pharmacokinetics and pharmacology, absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion describes the disposition of a pharmaceutical compound or drug within an organism. Each of the four criteria influence the drug levels and kinetics of drug exposure to the tissues and, as a result, influence the performance and pharmacological activity of the compound as an active drug.
ADR
Adverse drug reaction
Adverse drug reaction or ADR (also referred as adverse event) is an undesirable effect that may be caused by a study drug or compound in clinical research. In the case of an observed ADR or adverse event, the sponsoring company is required to perform a written investigation into the root cause. This may lead to a corrective or preventative action or CAPA, defined by the U.S Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) 21CFR 820.100 policy and procedures, enabling a sponsoring company to assure that appropriate actions are taken to prevent recurrence and eliminate the cause of potential nonconforming products causing undesirable quality problems.
A(I)EE
Activity-induced energy expenditure
Activity-induced energy expenditure or AIEE is the energy spent on physical activity, a component of daily energy expenditure that is mainly influenced by the amount of physical activity (PA) and by the weight of the body displaced.
AFP
Alpha-fetoprotein
Alpha–fetoprotein or AFP (?-fetoprotein; also alpha-1-fetoprotein, alpha-fetoglobulin, or alpha fetal protein) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the AFP gene. The AFP gene is located on the q arm of chromosome 4. AFP is a major plasma protein produced by the yolk sac and the liver during fetal development (pregnancy).
AFP can be used to detect a number of diseases. AFP production is essentially non-existant after one year of age. However, production may starts up as a result of certain diseases such as viral hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver. AFP is also made by primary liver tumors or hepatomas and by germ cell tumors such as teratocarcinoma and embryonal cell carcinomas. An individual’s serum AFP level can be used to detect these conditions and monitor treatment.
Ag
Antigen
In immunology, an antigen is any substance or agent that react specifically with an antibody to provokes an adaptive immune response, which is called into action against pathogens that are able to evade or overcome innate immune defenses. (There are two types of adaptive immune responses: humoral immunity, mediated by antibodies produced by B lymphocytes, and cell-mediated immunity, mediated by T lymphocytes).
An antigen is often foreign or toxic to the body which, once in the body, attracts and is bound to a respective and specific antibody. Each antigen may contain more than one site which is able to bind to a particular antibody. Also see: Immunogen.
AI
Aromatase inhibitor
Aromatase inhibitors or AIs are drugs used in the treatment of breast cancer. They are also used as adjuvant therapy after the primary treatment to lower the risk that breast cancer comes back. The class of aromatase inhibitors include Exemestane (Aromasin?; Pfizer), Letrozole (Femara?; Novartis) and Anastrozole (Arimidex?; AstraZeneca)
Aromatase inhibitors work differently than drugs such as tamoxifen (Nolvadex?, Istubal?, and Valodex?; AstraZeneca) and raloxifene (Evista?; Eli Lilly and Company). Instead of blocking the estrogen receptors, these drugs stop a key enzyme (aromatase) from changing other hormones into estrogen. This lowers estrogen levels in the body, taking away the fuel that estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancers need to grow.
These drugs are only useful in women whose ovaries are not making estrogen, including women who have already gone through menopause.
AICR
American Institute for Cancer Research
The American Institute for Cancer Research or AICR was founded on a simple but radical idea: everyday choices can reduce our chances of getting cancer.
The organization was the first to focus research on the link between diet and cancer and translate the results into practical information for the public. [More…]
AIHA
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia or AIHA is a form of anemia caused by autoantibody-induced hemolysis or the premature destruction of circulating red blood cells. Usually idiopathic, AIHA is also associated with infection, lymphoproliferative disorders, autoimmune diseases, and some prescription drugs.
One of the recognizing factors of AIHA is an elevated reticulocyte count in the absence of blood loss, a positive direct antiglobulin test and spherocytes or red blood cell aggregates on the peripheral blood smear.
Generally, AIHA is classically divided into warm and cold disease. In warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia autoantibody immunoglobin G or IgG attacks red blood cells. In most cases, patients with this type of AIHA are over 50 years of age and treated with corticosteroids and therapies for underlying diseases.
In chronic cold agglutinin disease cold-activated immunoglobin M or IgM and complement or C3d coat red blood cells and trigger hemolysis. Patients with this type of AIHA are generally over 50 years of age. In some cases cold AIHA resolves with cold avoidance. It rarely progresses to renal failure.
Paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria or PCH is a rare disease which is generally induced by postviral Donath-Landsteiner autoantibody at cold temperatures in children. This type of AIHA is often acute and severe, but usually short-lived and self-limited. It rarely progresses to renal failure, lymphoma, or death.
AITL
Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma
Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma or AITL is a rare, aggressive T-cell lymphoma accounting for approximately 1 – 2% of all cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma or NHL in the United States. Elderly patients are more likely to have AITL, which occurs more often in men than women. In general, symptoms include high fever, night sweats, skin rash, and autoimmune disorders such as autoimmune hemolytic anemia or AIHA and immune thrombocytopenia or ITP. The result of these autoimmune disorders is that the body’s immune system does not recognize, and consequently destroys, its own cells and tissues, such as red blood cells (in the case of AIHA) or platelets (in the case of ITP).
ALC
Absolute lymphocyte count
Absolute lymphocyte count or ALC is an independent prognostic indicator for survival in multiple hematological malignancies. Early ALC recovery also predicted longer survival after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in non-Hodgkin?s lymphoma.
ALCL
Anaplastic large-cell lymphoma
Anaplastic large cell lymphoma or ALCL is a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma or NHL. It is, however, one of the more common subtypes of T-cell lymphoma. ALCL comprises about 3% of all NHLs in adults and 10 – 30% of all NHLs in children. Initial symptoms of ALCL can include painless swelling of lymph nodes, rapid weight loss, and tiredness.
ALDH
aldehyde dehydrogenases
ALK
anaplastic lymphoma kinase
ALT
alanine aminotransferase
AML
acute myelogenous leukemia
AMP
adenosine 5?-monophosphate-activated protein kinase
ANC
absolute neutrophil count
AP
alkaline phosphatase
APL
acute promyelocytic leukemia
AR
androgen receptor
Ara-C
cytarabine
Ara-CDP
Ara-C diphosphate
Ara-CMP
Ara-C monophosphate
Ara-CTP
Ara-C triphosphate
ASA404
vadimezan
ASCT
autologous stem cell transplantation
AST
aspartate aminotransferase
ATE
arterial thrombotic event
ATO
arsenic trioxide
ATP
adenosine triphosphate
ATRA
tretinoin (all-trans-retinoic acid)
AUC
area under the curve
5
5-FU
5-fluorouracil, often called 5-FU (Adrucil?; TEVA Generics), is an antineoplastic or cytotoxic chemotherapeutic drug used to treat different cancers including breast, colorectal, skin, stomach, esophageal and pancreatic cancer. The drug is a pyrimidine analog which can inhibit the biosynthesis of pyrimidine nucleotides. After rapid transportation into the cell, a significant portion of the drug is converted via ribosylation and phosphorylation into 3 metabolites, including fluorouridine triphosphate (5-FUTP) and fluorodeoxyuridine monophosphate (5-dFUMP) [Package Insert]
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5-FUTP
5-fluorouridine triphosphate
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5-HT
5-hydroxytryptamine
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B
BAL
bronchoalveolar lavage
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BBB
blood-brain barrier
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BC
breast cancer
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Bcr
B-cell receptor
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BCRP
breast cancer resistance protein
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BCS
breast conserving surgery
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BIA
bioimpedance analysis
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Bid
twice daily
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BL
Burkitt lymphoma
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BM
bone marrow
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BMI
body mass index = body weight (kg) /body height (m2)
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BP
blood pressure
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BSA
body surface area
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BUN
blood urea nitrogen
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C
C.I.
continuous infusion
CA4P
combretastatin A4 phosphate
CBCL
cutaneous B-cell lymphoma
CD
cluster of differentiation
Cd-AMP
cladribine monophosphate
Cd-ATP
cladribine triphosphate
CDC
complement-dependent cytotoxicity
CEA
carcinoembryonic antigen
CEC
circulating endothelial cell
CEP17
chromosome 17 centromere
CHF
cardiac heart failure
CHO
carbohydrates
Cl
clearance
CLL
chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
ClTB
total body clearance
Cmax
peak concentration
CML
chronic myelogenous leukemia
CMML
chronic myelomonocytic leukemia
CMV
cytomegalovirus
CNS
central nervous system
COMT
catechol-omethyltransferase
COPD
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
CP
chronic phase
CPA
cyclophosphamide
CPK
creatine phosphokinase
CPT
camptothecin
Cr
creatinine
CRC
colorectal cancer
CRP
C-reactive protein
CSCC
cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma
CSF
colony-stimulating factor
Css
average steady state concentration
CT
computed tomography
CTCAE
Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse events
CTCL
cutaneous T-cell lymphoma
D
D-TMP
deoxythymidine monophosphate
DC
dendritic cell
DCE-MRI
dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI
DCK
deoxycytidine kinase
DEE
diet-induced energy expenditure: the energy spent to digest and absorb nutrients
DEXA
dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry
DFS
disease-free survival
DHAD
mitoxantrone
DHFR
dihydrofolate reductase
DIC
disseminated intravascular coagulation
DLBCL
diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
DLCO
diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide
DLT
dose-limiting toxicity
DM
diabetes mellitus
DNMT
DNA methyltransferase
DNMTi
DNA methyltransferase inhibitor
DNR
daunorubicin
DNR-OL
daunorubicinol
DOX
doxorubicin
DPD
dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase
DSB
double-strand break
DVT
deep vein thrombosis
DXM
dexamethasone
E
E1
estrone
E2
estradiol
EATL
enteropathy associated T-cell lymphoma
EBER
Epstein-Barr early RNA
EBV
Epstein-Barr virus
EC
endothelial cell
EFS
event-free survival
EGF
A protein growth factor (6 KDa, 53 amino acids) that binds to the Epidermal growth factor receptor. Binding of EGF activates specific growth pathways in some cancer cells and also some normal cells.
EGFR
epidermal growth factor receptor: the protein found on the surface of most epithelial cells and to which Epidermal growth factor binds, causing a signalling cascade within the cells that eventually leads to cell division.
EGFRI
Drugs that target and inhibit the EGFR, including monoclonal antibodies and low-molecular-weight Tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
EIA
enzymo-immunoassay
EMA
European Medicines Agency
EML4
echinoderm microtubule associated protein like 4
EN
enteral nutrition
EOD-CS
early-onset diarrhoea-cholinergic syndrome
EOT
end of treatment
EPI
epirubicin
EPI-OL
epirubicinol
EPO
erythropoietin
ER
estrogen receptor
ERCC
excision repair cross complement
ESMO
European Society for Medical Oncology
ESPEN
European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism
F
FAA
flavone acetic acid
FDA
Food and Drug Administration
FDG
F-18-Fluorodeoxyglucose
FFS
failure free survival
FGF
fibroblastic growth factor
FH2
dihydrofolic acid
FH4
tetrahydrofolic acid
FL
follicular lymphoma
FN
febrile neutropenia
FPE
fixed paraffin embedded
FSH
follicle stimulating hormone
G
G-CSF
granulocyte-colony stimulating factor
GFR
glomerular filtration rate
GI
gastrointestinal
GI50
growth inhibition of 50% of cells
GIST
gastrointestinal stromal tumour
GnRH
gonadotropin-releasing hormone
GPCRs
G protein-coupled receptors
GRFT
glycinamide ribonucleotide formyl transferase
H
HAART
highly active antiretroviral therapy
HAT
histone acetyltransferase
HBV
hepatitis B virus
HCG
human chorionic gonadotropin
HCV
hepatitis C virus
HD
high dose
HDAC
histone deacetylase
HDACi
HDAC inhibitor
HDT
high-dose therapy
HFS
hand?foot syndrome
HGF
hepatocyte growth factor
HIF
hypoxia-inducible factors
HIV
human immunodeficiency virus
HL
Hodgkin lymphoma
HNSCC
head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
HPV
human papilloma virus
HSCT
hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
HSR
hypersensitivity reaction
HSTL
hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma
HU
hydroxyurea
HUS
hemolytic?uremic syndrome
I
I.v.
intravenous(ly)
IC50
concentration at which growth/activity is inhibited by 50%
IDA
idarubicin
IDMS
isotope dilution mass spectroscopy
IDOL
idarubicinol
IFN
interferon
IFNAR
IFN-? receptor
Ig
immunoglobulin
IGF
insulin growth factor
IGF-1R
insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor
IGFBP
insulin-like growth factor-binding protein
IHC
immunohistochemistry
IL
interleukin
IM
intramuscular
IMiD
immunomodulatory drug
IND
investigational new drug
INR
international normalised ratio
InsR
insulin receptor
IP
intraperitoneal
IPI
international prognostic index
IPS
International prognostic score
IPSS
International Prognostic Scoring System
IRS
inflammatory response syndrome
ISG
interferon stimulating genes
ISH
in situ hybridization
J
JAK
Janus kinase
K
KS
Kaposi?s sarcoma
L
LC50
cytotoxic killing of 50% of cells
LD10
lethal dose to 10% of animals
LDH
lactose dehydrogenase
LFT
liver function test
LH
luteinising hormone
LL
lymphoblastic lymphoma
LLN
lower limit of normal
LMWH
low molecular weight heparin
LN
lymph node
LOD
late-onset diarrhea
LP
lumbar puncture
LPL
lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma
LT
lymphoid tissue
LV
leucovorin
LVEF
left ventricular ejection fraction
M
M-AMSA +
amsacrine
mAb
monoclonal antibody
MAOI
monoamine oxidase inhibitors
MAP
mitogen-activated protein
MCL
mantle cell lymphoma
MCRC
metastatic colorectal cancer
MDP
myeloproliferative disease
MDR
multidrug resistance
MDS
myelodysplastic syndrome
MGUS
monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance
MHC
major histocompatibility complex
MIU
million international units
MMAE
monomethylauristatin E
MRCC
metastatic renal cell cancer
MRI
magnetic resonance imaging
MTD
maximum tolerated dose
MTOR
mammalian target of rapamycin
MTX
methotrexate
MUGA
multigated acquisition
MW
molecular weight
MZL
marginal zone lymphoma
N
NCI
National Cancer Institute
ND
not done
Neg
negative
NER
nucleotide excision repair
NF-kappaB
nuclear factor-kappaB
NHL
non-Hodgkin lymphoma
NK cell
natural killer cell
NLPHL
nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma
NOS
nitric oxide synthase
NPY
neuropeptide Y
NSAID
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug
NSCLC
non-small-cell lung cancer
NV
normal value
O
ONS
oral nutritional supplementation
OS
overall survival
P
PARP
poly ADP-ribose polymerase
PB
peripheral blood
PBSC
peripheral blood stem cell
PCR
polymerase chain reaction
PDGF
platelet-derived growth factor
PDGFR
platelet-derived growth factor receptor
PDN
prednisolone
PEG
pegylated
PET
positron emission tomography
PFS
progression-free survival
PgP
P-glycoprotein
Ph+
Philadelphia chromosome-positive
PIF
interstitial fluid pressure
PIP2
phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate
PK
pharmacokinetics
PKB
protein kinase
PLD
pegylated liposomal doxorubicin
PLT
platelet
PML
promyelocytic leukemia
PN
parenteral nutrition
PNET
pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour
PO
per os
Pos
positive
PPE
palmar?plantar erythrodysesthesia
PS
performance status
PT
prothrombin time
PTCL
peripheral T-cell lymphoma
PTEN
phosphatase and tensin homologue
Q
QALY
quality-adjusted life years
Qd
once daily
QoL
quality of life
R
RA-APL
retinoic acid?antiphospholipid syndrome
RARs
retinoic acid receptors
RBC
red blood cell
RCC
renal cell carcinoma
RCT
randomised controlled trials
REE
resting energy expenditure: the energy needed to preserve basic vital functions
RIA
radioimmunoassay
RIC
reduced-intensity conditioning regimen
RNR
ribonucleotide reductase
RPLS
reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome
RR
response rate
RT
radiotherapy
RTK
receptor tyrosine kinase
RXR
retinoid X receptor
S
SC
subcutaneous
SCCHN
squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck
SCLC
small-cell lung cancer
SERMs
selective oestrogen receptor modulators
SHBG
sex hormone-binding globulin
SIADH
syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone
SIRS
systemic inflammatory response syndrome
SNPs
single nucleotide polymorphisms
Sun protection factor (SPF)
The sun protection factor, also known as the SPF, indicates the factor by which the protection against UVB rays is extended by the use of specific sunscreen products.
SPTCL
subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma
SSB
single-strand break
SUV
standardised uptake volume
T
T1/2
half-life
TCR
T-cell receptor
TDL
lowest dose that results in no toxicity
TE
thromboembolism
TEE
thromboembolic event
TF
tube feeding
TGF
transforming growth factor
TGI
total growth inhibition
Tid
three times daily
TKI
tyrosine kinase inhibitor
Tmax
time to peak concentration
TNF
tumor necrosis factor
TOP1ccs
topo-I cleavable complex
Topo
topoisomerase
TPN
total parental nutrition
TRAIL
TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand
TS
thymidylate synthase
TSC
tuberous sclerosis
TTP
time to progression
U
ULN
upper limit of normal
UPGT
uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase
UPS
ubiquitin proteasome pathway
V
VCR
vincristine
Vd
volume of distribution
VEGF
vascular endothelial growth factor
VEGFR
vascular endothelial growth factor receptor
VM26
teniposide
Vmax
maximum disappearance rate
VOD
veno-occlusive disease
VP16
etoposide
VTA
vascular-targeting agent
VTE
venous thromboembolic event
W
WBC
white blood cell
WBRT
whole brain radiotherapy
WCRF
World Cancer Research Fund
X
XL184
cabozantinib
