Glossary of Medical Terms

A substance being studied in the treatment of several types of cancer. It blocks enzymes needed for cell division and may kill cancer cells. It is a type of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor. Also called HDAC inhibitor SNDX-275 and SNDX-275.

A drug used in adults to treat non-small cell lung cancer that has spread to other parts of the body and is ROS1 positive. It is also used in adults and children aged 12 years or older to treat solid tumors that have spread to other parts of the body or cannot be removed by surgery and that got worse after other treatment or cannot be treated with other therapies. It is used in patients whose cancer has the NTRK gene fusion but does not have a drug resistance mutation (change) in certain TRK proteins. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Entrectinib blocks certain proteins involved in cell signaling and cell growth. These proteins may be found in a changed form or at high levels in some types of cancer cells. Blocking these proteins may help keep cancer cells from growing and may kill them. Entrectinib is a type of tyrosine kinase inhibitor and a type of targeted therapy. Also called Rozlytrek.

In medicine, the removal of an organ or tumor in such a way that it comes out clean and whole, like a nut from its shell.

Having contact with chemical, biological, or physical substances found in air, water, food, or soil that may have a harmful effect on a person’s health. Examples of environmental exposures include UV radiation from the sun and cigarette smoke, radon, or other forms of air pollution. A person may also be exposed to harmful substances by swallowing food or water that is contaminated with bacteria or pesticides or by absorbing harmful chemicals through the skin. The amount of harm caused by an environmental exposure depends on the amount of the exposure, the way a person is exposed, and how long a person is exposed. Some types of environmental exposures may increase the risk of certain diseases, such as lung disease, heart disease, and cancer, and may also lead to birth defects.

Smoke that comes from the burning of a tobacco product and smoke that is exhaled by smokers. Inhaling environmental tobacco smoke is called involuntary or passive smoking. Also called ETS and secondhand smoke.

A drug used to treat prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body and is castration sensitive (has responded to treatments that lower testosterone levels) and prostate cancer that 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. Enzalutamide 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. Enzalutamide blocks these proteins and may keep cancer cells from growing. It is a type of antiandrogen. Also called Xtandi.

A substance being studied in the treatment of certain types of cancer, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma, breast, colon, lung, ovarian, and prostate. Enzastaurin hydrochloride blocks certain cell signaling pathways, and may prevent the growth of new blood vessels that tumors need to grow. It is a type of serine threonine kinase inhibitor and a type of antiangiogenesis agent. Also called LY317615.

A protein that speeds up chemical reactions in the body.

A substance that blocks the action of an enzyme. Enzymes help speed up chemical reactions in the body and take part in many cell functions, including cell signaling, growth, and division. In cancer treatment, enzyme inhibitors may be used to block certain enzymes that cancer cells need to grow.

A laboratory technique that uses antibodies linked to enzymes to detect and measure the amount of a substance in a solution, such as serum. The test is done using a solid surface to which the antibodies and other molecules stick. In the final step, an enzyme reaction takes place that causes a color change that can be read using a special machine. There are many different ways that an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay can be done. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays may be used to help diagnose certain diseases. Also called ELISA.