Glossary of Medical Terms

A limb of the body, such as the arm or leg.

Cancer that forms in tissues of and around the eye. Some of the cancers that may affect the eye include melanoma (a rare cancer that begins in cells that make the pigment melanin in the eye), carcinoma (cancer that begins in tissues that cover structures in the eye), lymphoma (cancer that begins in immune system cells), and retinoblastoma (cancer that begins in the retina and usually occurs in children younger than 5 years).

The space within the skull that contains the eye, including its nerves and muscles. The eye socket also includes the eyelids and the glands that make tears. It is made up of seven bones that surround and protect the eye. Also called orbit.

A gene that makes a protein called histone methyltransferase. This protein is involved in controlling the activity of certain genes and in cell division. Mutations (changes) in the EZH2 gene may cause histone methyltransferase to become overactive, which may cause cancer cells to grow. EZH2 gene mutations have been found in many types of cancer.

A drug used with other drugs to treat acute lymphoblastic lymphoma in children and young adults aged 1 month to 21 years. EZN-2285 is a form of the drug L-asparaginase that is linked to a substance called SC-PEG, which makes the drug stay in the body longer. L-asparaginase is an enzyme taken from the bacterium Escherichia coli (E. coli). It breaks down the amino acid asparagine and may stop the growth of cancer cells that need asparagine to grow. EZN-2285 is a type of protein synthesis inhibitor. Also called Asparlas, calaspargase pegol, and SC-PEG E. coli L-asparaginase.