Glossary of Medical Terms

A drug used to treat thrombocytopenia (low platelet levels) in patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) that did not get better with other treatment. ITP is a condition in which platelets are destroyed by the immune system. AMG 531 binds to the thrombopoietin receptor, which causes the bone marrow to make more platelets. It is a type of thrombopoietin receptor agonist. Also called Nplate and romiplostim.

A substance that is being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer. It belongs to the families of drugs called angiogenesis inhibitors and protein kinase inhibitors.

A hormone made by the ovaries in females and the testicles in males. AMH helps to form the male and female reproductive organs. It also helps control other hormones that act on the ovaries to make the follicles and eggs grow during a woman’s menstrual cycle. Measuring the amount of AMH in the blood may help diagnose infertility and other conditions, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome, menopause, and certain types of ovarian tumors. It may also help determine the sex of an infant, when the sex is not clear. Also called anti-Mullerian hormone.

A drug used to help protect the kidneys in patients receiving cisplatin (a type of anticancer drug) for advanced ovarian cancer. It is also used to help reduce dry mouth in patients receiving radiation therapy after surgery for head and neck cancer. Amifostine helps protect healthy tissue from some of the side effects caused by certain types of cancer treatment. It is a type of chemoprotective agent and a type of radioprotective agent. Also called Ethyol.

An antibiotic drug used to treat infection. It belongs to the family of drugs called aminoglycoside antibiotics.

One of several molecules that join together to form proteins. There are 20 common amino acids found in proteins.

The arrangement of amino acids in a protein. Proteins can be made from 20 different kinds of amino acids, and the structure and function of each protein are determined by the kinds of amino acids used to make it and how they are arranged.

A nutrient in the vitamin B complex that the body needs in small amounts to function and stay healthy. Bacteria that live in the intestines need aminobenzoic acid to survive. Aminobenzoic acid is found in grains and foods from animals. It is being studied as a radiosensitizer (a substance that makes tumor cells more sensitive to radiation therapy) and in the treatment of certain skin disorders. Also called PABA and para-aminobenzoic acid.

An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called topoisomerase inhibitors.

An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitors. Aminoglutethimide is used to decrease the production of sex hormones (estrogen in women or testosterone in men) and suppress the growth of tumors that need sex hormones to grow.