Glossary of Medical Terms

A type of antibiotic that comes from certain types of Streptomyces bacteria. Anthracyclines are used to treat many types of cancer. Anthracyclines damage the DNA in cancer cells, causing them to die. Daunorubicin, doxorubicin, and epirubicin are anthracyclines.

A type of anticancer drug.

A substance being studied as a treatment for atherosclerosis (a build-up of fat in the arteries). It is also being studied in the treatment of cancers that spread to the bone. Anti-CCR2 monoclonal antibody MLN1202 binds to a protein called CCR2, which is found on the surface of certain bone cells, white blood cells, and cancer cells. Anti-CCR2 monoclonal antibody MLN1202 blocks the action of a substance that is involved in keeping healthy bone mass. It may help keep the cancer cells from spreading to and growing in the bone. It is a type of monoclonal antibody. Also called MLN1202.

A monoclonal antibody linked to a toxic substance. It is being studied in the treatment of some types of B-cell cancer. Anti-CD19 immunotoxin is made in the laboratory. It binds to CD19, a protein on the surface of normal B cells and B-cell tumors, and kills the cells.

A monoclonal antibody linked to a toxic substance. It is being studied in the treatment of some types of B-cell cancer. Anti-CD22 immunotoxin is made in the laboratory. It binds to CD22, a protein on the surface of normal B cells and B-cell tumors, and kills the cells.

A drug used to treat hairy cell leukemia that came back or did not get better with at least two other systemic therapies, including treatment with a purine nucleoside analog (a type of anticancer drug). Anti-CD22 immunotoxin CAT-8015 contains a monoclonal antibody called moxetumomab that binds to a protein called CD22, which is found on B cells (a type of white blood cell) and some types of leukemia cells. It also contains a bacterial toxin called PE38, which may help kill cancer cells. Anti-CD22 immunotoxin CAT-8015 is a type of immunotoxin. Also called CAT-8015, Lumoxiti, and moxetumomab pasudotox.

A substance that binds to a protein called CD38, which is found on some types of blood cells and in high levels on some cancer cells, including myeloma cells. Anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody may block the CD38 protein and help the immune system kill cancer cells. Some anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies are being used to treat multiple myeloma. They are also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.

A substance being studied in the treatment of some types of leukemia and lymphoma. Anti-CD45 monoclonal antibody binds to a protein called CD45, which is found on most types of blood cells and some types of leukemia and lymphoma cells. Anti-CD45 monoclonal antibody may help the immune system kill cancer cells. It is a type of monoclonal antibody.

An antibody against carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), a protein present on certain types of cancer cells.

A substance being studied in the treatment of certain types of head and neck cancer. Anti-EpCAM-Pseudomonas-exotoxin fusion protein is made by linking a monoclonal antibody fragment to a toxic protein that may kill cancer cells. It binds to EpCAM (a protein on the surface of epithelial cells and some types of cancer cells). Also called Proxinium and VB4-845.