Glossary of Medical Terms

A drug used to treat bladder carcinoma in situ that did not get better after treatment with bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG). It is used in patients who cannot have surgery right away to remove all or part of the bladder. AD 32 is given as a solution through a catheter that is placed into the bladder. It blocks a certain enzyme needed for cell division and DNA repair, and it may kill cancer cells. AD 32 is a type of anthracycline antibiotic and a type of topoisomerase inhibitor. Also called valrubicin and Valstar.

A rare, inherited disorder in which the immune system is damaged, causing a person to have a complete lack of B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes (types of white blood cells that help the body fight infection). People with ADA-SCID are at high risk of developing life-threatening viral, bacterial, and fungal infections and certain types of cancers. Signs and symptoms of ADA-SCID usually occur before 6 months of age and include serious lung infections, chronic diarrhea, skin rashes, and slow growth and development. When symptoms begin later in life, they are usually milder. ADA-SCID is caused by mutations (changes) in the ADA gene. The ADA gene makes an enzyme called adenosine deaminase, which helps protect lymphocytes from harmful substances in the body. Also called adenosine deaminase-deficient severe combined immunodeficiency.

A type of immunity that develops when a person’s immune system responds to a foreign substance or microorganism, such as after an infection or vaccination. Adaptive immunity involves specialized immune cells and antibodies that attack and destroy foreign invaders and are able to prevent disease in the future by remembering what those substances look like and mounting a new immune response. Adaptive immunity may last for a few weeks or months or for a long time, sometimes for a person’s entire life.

A substance made up of a monoclonal antibody chemically linked to a drug. The monoclonal antibody binds to specific proteins or receptors found on certain types of cells, including cancer cells. The linked drug enters these cells and kills them without harming other cells. Some ADCs are used to treat cancer. Also called antibody-drug conjugate.

A type of immune reaction in which a target cell or microbe is coated with antibodies and killed by certain types of white blood cells. The white blood cells bind to the antibodies and release substances that kill the target cells or microbes. Also called antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity.

A drug used with other anticancer drugs to treat systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma or other peripheral T-cell lymphomas, including angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, that are CD30 positive and have not been treated with other therapy. It is also used with other anticancer drugs to treat stage III or stage IV classical Hodgkin lymphoma that has not been treated with other therapy. Adcetris is also used to treat certain types of Hodgkin lymphoma, anaplastic large cell lymphoma, and mycosis fungoides that were treated with other therapy. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Adcetris contains a monoclonal antibody that binds to a protein called CD30, which is found on some lymphoma cells. It also contains an anticancer drug, which may help kill cancer cells. Adcetris is a type of antibody-drug conjugate. Also called brentuximab vedotin and SGN-35.

A combination of drugs used as a treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy (a sleep disorder). It is a type of stimulant. Also called dextroamphetamine-amphetamine.

A state of dependence produced by the habitual taking of drugs, including alcohol, characterised by compulsion, loss of control and continued patterns of use despite negative consequences.

A rare disorder in which the adrenal glands do not make enough of certain hormones. Symptoms include weight loss, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, muscle weakness, fatigue, low blood sugar, low blood pressure, and patchy or dark skin. Most cases of the disorder are caused by immune system problems, but may also be caused by infection, cancer, or other diseases. Also called adrenal insufficiency.

An abbreviation for a chemotherapy combination used to treat childhood acute myeloid leukemia (AML). It includes the drugs cytarabine (Ara-C), daunorubicin hydrochloride, and etoposide phosphate. Also called ADE regimen.