Glossary of Medical Terms

A drug used to treat certain bacterial skin and bloodstream infections in adults. Daptomycin is also being studied in the treatment of fever and neutropenia (an abnormal decrease in the number of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell) in patients with cancer. It is a type of antibiotic. Also called Cubicin.

A log of study drugs kept by an investigator running a clinical trial. It lists many things about each drug, including the drug name, lot number, expiration date, the amount of drug received, used, returned, or thrown away, and the amount left. DARs help make sure that a clinical trial is done safely and correctly. DARs are required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Also called Drug Accountability Record.

A drug used alone or with other drugs to treat adults with multiple myeloma. It is used in patients whose cancer is newly diagnosed and who can or cannot be treated with an autologous stem cell transplant. Daratumumab is also used in patients whose cancer came back or did not get better after treatment with one or more anticancer therapies. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Daratumumab binds to a protein called CD38, which is found on some types of immune cells and cancer cells, including myeloma cells. Daratumumab may block CD38 and help the immune system kill cancer cells. It is a type of monoclonal antibody. Also called Darzalex.

A combination of two drugs used alone or with other drugs to treat adults with multiple myeloma. It is used in patients whose cancer is newly diagnosed and who cannot be treated with an autologous stem cell transplant. Daratumumab and hyaluronidase is also used in patients whose cancer came back or did not get better after treatment with one or more anticancer therapies. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Daratumumab binds to a protein called CD38, which is found on some types of immune cells and cancer cells, including myeloma cells. Daratumumab may block CD38 and help the immune system kill cancer cells. Hyaluronidase allows daratumumab to be given by injection under the skin. Daratumumab and hyaluronidase can be given in less time than daratumumab alone, which is given as an infusion. Also called Darzalex Faspro.

A drug used to treat anemia caused by chronic kidney disease and some types of chemotherapy. Darbepoetin alfa is a form of erythropoietin (a substance naturally made by the kidneys) that is made in the laboratory. It helps the bone marrow make more red blood cells. Darbepoetin alfa is a type of antianemic and a type of erythropoiesis-stimulating agent. Also called Aranesp.

A microscope (device used to magnify small objects) in which objects are lit at a very low angle from the side so that the background appears dark and the objects show up against this dark background.

A drug used to treat prostate cancer that has not spread to other parts of the body and is castration resistant (has not responded to treatments that lower testosterone levels). It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Darolutamide binds to proteins called androgen receptors, which are found in some prostate cancer cells. These proteins bind to androgens (male hormones) and may cause cancer cells to grow. Darolutamide blocks these proteins and may keep cancer cells from growing. It is a type of antiandrogen. Also called Nubeqa.

A drug used alone or with other drugs to treat adults with multiple myeloma. It is used in patients whose cancer is newly diagnosed and who can or cannot be treated with an autologous stem cell transplant. Darzalex is also used in patients whose cancer came back or did not get better after treatment with one or more anticancer therapies. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Darzalex binds to a protein called CD38, which is found on some types of immune cells and cancer cells, including myeloma cells. Darzalex may block CD38 and help the immune system kill cancer cells. It is a type of monoclonal antibody. Also called daratumumab.

A combination of daratumumab and hyaluronidase used alone or with other drugs to treat adults with multiple myeloma. It is used in patients whose cancer is newly diagnosed and who cannot be treated with an autologous stem cell transplant. Darzalex Faspro is also used in patients whose cancer came back or did not get better after treatment with one or more anticancer therapies. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Daratumumab binds to a protein called CD38, which is found on some types of immune cells and cancer cells, including myeloma cells. Daratumumab may block CD38 and help the immune system kill cancer cells. Hyaluronidase allows daratumumab to be given by injection under the skin. Darzalex Faspro can be given in less time than daratumumab alone, which is given as an infusion. Also called daratumumab and hyaluronidase.

A drug used alone or with other drugs to treat children aged 1 year or older with chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) or newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) that are Philadelphia chromosome positive (Ph+). It is also used to treat adults with certain types of CML and ALL that are Ph+. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Dasatinib blocks BCR-ABL and other proteins, which may help keep cancer cells from growing. It is a type of tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Also called BMS-354825 and Sprycel.