Active immunotherapy - Treatment to stimulate or restore the ability of the immune system to fight infections and other diseases. Also known as biological therapy, biotherapy, or biological response modifier (BRM) therapy.
Allogeneic - Taken from different individuals of the same species.
Antibody - A type of protein made by certain white blood cells in response to a foreign substance (antigen). Each antibody can bind to only a specific antigen. The purpose of this binding is to help destroy the antigen. Antibodies can work in several ways, depending on the nature of the antigen. Some antibodies destroy antigens directly. Others make it easier for white blood cells to destroy the antigen.
Antigen - Substance that causes the immune system to make a specific immune response.
Antigen-Presenting Cell (APC) - A cell that shows an antigen on its surface to other cells of the immune system. This is an important part of an immune response.
Autologous - Taken from an individual's own tissues, cells, or DNA.
B cell (also called B lymphocyte) - A white blood cell that makes antibodies and is an important part of the immune system. B cells come from bone marrow.
Biological therapy - Treatment to stimulate or restore the ability of the immune system to fight infections and other diseases. Also used to lessen side effects that may be caused by some cancer treatments. Also known as immunotherapy, biotherapy, or biological response modifier (BRM) therapy.
Cancer - A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control. Cancer cells can invade nearby tissues and can spread through the bloodstream and lymphatic system to other parts of the body. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the bloodstream. Lymphoma is cancer that begins in the cells of the immune system.
Cancer vaccines - A vaccine designed to prevent or treat cancer.
Chemotherapy - Treatment with anticancer drugs.
Costimulatory - A substance that increases the ability of the immune system to fight infection and disease.
Cytotoxic - Cell-killing.
Cytotoxic T cell - A type of white blood cell that can directly destroy specific cells. T cells can be separated from other blood cells, grown in the laboratory, and then given to a patient to destroy tumor cells. Certain cytokines can also be given to a patient to help form cytotoxic T cells in the patient's body.
Dendritic cell - A special type of antigen-presenting cell (APC) that activates T lymphocytes.
Gene - The functional and physical unit of heredity passed from parent to offspring. Genes are pieces of DNA and most genes contain the information for making a specific protein.
GM-CSF (Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor) - A cytokine that stimulates the production of white blood cells, especially granulocytes and macrophages, and cells (in the bone marrow) that are precursors of platelets. It belongs to the family of drugs called hematopoietic (blood-forming) agents. Also called sargramostim.
Helper T cell - A type of white blood cell that helps stimulate immune system reactions. Helper T cells help activate cytotoxic T cells and macrophages by secreting cytokines. They also stimulate B cells to make antibodies.
Immunotherapy - Treatment to stimulate or restore the ability of the immune system to fight infections and other diseases. Also used to lessen side effects that may be caused by some cancer treatments. Also known as biological therapy, biotherapy, or biological response modifier (BRM) therapy.
Immune response - The activity of the immune system against foreign substances (antigens).
Immune system - The complex group of organs and cells that defends the body against infections and other diseases.
Immunostimulant - A substance that increases the ability of the immune system to fight infection and disease.
Immunotherapy - Treatment to stimulate or restore the ability of the immune system to fight infections and other diseases. Also used to lessen side effects that may be caused by some cancer treatments. Also known as biological therapy, biotherapy, or biological response modifier (BRM) therapy.
Killer cell - A white blood cell that attacks tumor cells and body cells that have been invaded by foreign substances.
Lymphocyte - A type of white blood cell. Lymphocytes have a number of roles in the immune system, including the production of antibodies and other substances that fight infection and diseases.
Macrophage - A type of white blood cell that surrounds and kills microorganisms, removes dead cells, and stimulates the action of other immune system cells.
Natural killer cell (NK cell) - A type of white blood cell that contains granules with enzymes that can kill tumor cells or microbial cells. Also called a large granular lymphocyte.
Pancreatic cancer - A disease in which malignant (cancer) cells are found in the tissues of the pancreas. Also called exocrine cancer.
Passive immunotherapy - A treatment made in another animal or in the laboratory that mimics the immune system to fight infections and other diseases.
Prostate - A gland in the male reproductive system just below the bladder. The prostate surrounds part of the urethra, the canal that empties the bladder, and produces a fluid that forms part of semen.
Prostate specific antigen (PSA) - A substance produced by the prostate that may be found in an increased amount in the blood of men who have prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia, infection, or inflammation of the prostate.
Protein - A molecule made up of amino acids that are needed for the body to function properly. Proteins are the basis of body structures such as skin and hair and of substances such as enzymes, cytokines, and antibodies.
Subcutaneous - Beneath the skin.
T cell - One type of white blood cell that attacks virus-infected cells, foreign cells, and cancer cells. T cells also produce a number of substances that regulate the immune response.
T cell lymphocyte - One type of white blood cell that attacks virus-infected cells, foreign cells, and cancer cells. T cells also produce a number of substances that regulate the immune response.
White blood cell (WBC) - A blood cell that does not contain hemoglobin. White blood cells include lymphocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, macrophages, and mast cells. These cells are made by bone marrow and help the body fight infection and other diseases.
Additional terms and definitions can be found on the following web sites:
1. Cancer.gov dictionary - www.cancer.gov/dictionary
2. American Cancer Society - www.cancer.org
*Glossary source:
Cancer.gov dictionary page. National Cancer Institute Web site.
Available at www.cancer.gov/dictionary. Accessed May 5, 2004.
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