Glossary of Medical Terms

A drug used to treat infections caused by the influenza A virus. It blocks the ability of the virus to infect cells and to make more virus particles. It is also used to treat the symptoms of Parkinson disease. Amantidine hydrochloride is a type of antiviral agent.

A substance being studied in the treatment of mesothelioma. Amatuximab binds to a protein called mesothelin, which is found on some cancer cells. Amatuximab may help the immune system kill cancer cells. It is a type of monoclonal antibody. Also called anti-mesothelin monoclonal antibody MORAb-009 and MORAb-009.

A drug used to treat insomnia (inability to sleep), and anxiety. It is a type of imidazopyridine (sedative hypnotic). Also called zolpidem.

A condition in which there is a slow breakdown of cells in the center of the retina (the light-sensitive layers of nerve tissue at the back of the eye). This blocks vision in the center of the eye and can cause problems with activities such as reading and driving. AMD is most often seen in people who are over the age of 50. Also called age-related macular degeneration, ARMD, and macular degeneration.

A drug used before autologous stem cell transplantation in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma or multiple myeloma. AMD 3100 is given together with granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) to help move stem cells from the bone marrow to the blood. The stem cells can then be collected, stored, and given back to the patient. AMD 3100 is a type of chemokine receptor antagonist. Also called Mozobil and plerixafor.

A type of skin cancer in which the cells do not make the pigment melanin. Skin lesions are often irregular and may be pink, red, or have light brown, tan, or gray at the edges.

A drug used to treat actinic keratosis (a skin condition that may become cancer). When Ameluz is taken up by abnormal cells, including cancer cells, and then exposed to certain types of light, it becomes active and kills the cells. Ameluz contains the active ingredient aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride. It is a type of photosensitizing agent.

A drug that is used to treat certain skin conditions and is being studied in the treatment of cutaneous (skin-related) T-cell cancer and T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Amevive is made by combining part of an antibody with a protein that blocks the growth some types of T cells. It is a type of fusion protein and a type of immunosuppressant. Also called alefacept.

A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. It binds to a protein called hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), which may cause cancer cells to grow. Blocking this may cause cancer cells to die. AMG 102 is a type of monoclonal antibody. Also called anti-HGF monoclonal antibody AMG 102.

A drug used to prevent or treat certain bone problems. AMG 162 is used under the brand name Xgeva to prevent bone problems caused by multiple myeloma or by solid tumors that have spread to the bone. It is also used in certain patients to treat giant cell tumor of the bone that cannot be removed by surgery, and to treat hypercalcemia that is caused by cancer and did not get better after treatment with bisphosphonates. AMG 162 is also used under the brand name Prolia to increase bone mass in certain patients with breast cancer or prostate cancer who have a high risk of breaking bones. It is also used to treat osteoporosis in certain patients who have a high risk of breaking bones. AMG 162 is also being studied in the treatment of other conditions and types of cancer. It binds to a protein called RANKL, which keeps RANKL from binding to another protein called RANK on the surface of certain bone cells, including bone cancer cells. This may help keep bone from breaking down and cancer cells from growing. AMG 162 may also prevent the loss of calcium from the bones. It is a type of monoclonal antibody. Also called denosumab.