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s
- Stage I disease
Myeloma disease classification based on the Revised International Staging System (R-ISS). Patients with Stage I disease have: ß2-M less than or equal to 3.5mg/L and albumin greater than or equal to 3.5 g/dL, Absence of higher-risk DNA [deletion(17p) and/or translocation t(4;14) and/or(...) - Stage II disease
Myeloma disease classification based on the Revised International Staging System (R-ISS). Patients with Stage II disease have: Neither Stage I nor Stage III disease
- Stage III disease
Myeloma disease classification based on the Revised International Staging System (R-ISS) Patients with Stage III disease have: ß2-M greater than or equal to 5.5mg/L and either , Presence of higher-risk DNA abnormalities [deletion(17p) and/or translocation t(4;14) and/or translocation(...) - Standard-dose chemotherapy
Administration of chemotherapy at a dose that does not completely destroy the bone marrow; also known asAdministration of chemotherapy at a dose that does not completely destroy the bone marrow; also known as conventional chemotherapy.conventional chemotherapy.
- Standard of care
Treatment that experts agree is appropriate, accepted and widely used; also called standard therapy or best practice.
- Standard risk disease
Indicates myeloma with an average prognosis.
- Standard therapy
Treatment that has been shown to be safe and effective in clinical studies and is adopted as standard practice outside of clinical trials.
- Stem cell
Parent cell that grows and divides to produce red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Found primarily in the bone marrow, but also in the peripheral blood.
- Stem cell transplant
Therapeutic procedure in which bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cells are collected, stored and infused into a patient following high-dose chemotherapy to restore blood cell production.
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome
A rare, but very serious type of rash, resulting from an allergic reaction. It has been rarely documented in patients who received Revlimid. It requires immediate medical attention.
- Stomatitis
Mouth sores.
- Stringent complete response
A treatment outcome where there are no detectable plasma cells in the bone marrow or myeloma proteins in the serum or urine using very sensitive techniques. A test known as free light chain ratio is also normal.
- Stromal cell
Structural cells of the bone marrow that help support and nourish the blood-producing cells.
- Supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA)
Compilation of information on the safety and efficacy of a marketed drug that is submitted to the FDA in order to request approval to market the drug for another indication.
- Supportive care
Treatment that addresses the symptoms and complications of a disease rather than the disease itself. Examples in myeloma include bisphosphonates, growth factors (i.e., erythropoietin), antibiotics, orthopedic interventions and pain control measures.
- Synergistic
Acts in combination with another agent such that the activity is greater than the simple additive effect of the two agents.
- Syngeneic stem cell transplant
Procedure in which bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cells from a patient’s identical twin are collected, stored and infused into the patient following high-dose chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
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t
- T cell
Type of lymphocyte (immune cell) that plays an important role in immune responses and targeted cell killing, also known as a T lymphocyte.
- T lymphocyte
Type of lymphocyte (immune cell) that plays an important role in immune responses and targeted cell killing, also known as a T lymphocyte.
- Tandem transplant
Type of transplantation technique where a patient receives two planned transplants within a short period of time. Patients may receive 2 autologous transplants or an autologous stem cell transplant followed by a mini-transplant two to four months afterward.
- Teratogenic
Relating to or causing birth defects.
- Thalomid (thalidomide)
Older oral drug with multiple anti-myeloma effects. Thalomid has been shown to be effective in newly diagnosed and relapsed or refractory myeloma alone and in combination with agents such as dexamethasone. It is chemically similar to Revlimid®.
- Thrombocytopenia
Decrease in the number of platelets (small cell fragments in the blood that help it to clot). A low level of platelets may increase the chance of bleeding.
- Time to progression (TTP)
A measure of time after a disease is treated until the disease starts to get worse or progress.
- Tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA)
Enzyme that helps dissolve blood clots and inhibits angiogenesis.
- Toxic epidermal necrosis (TEN)
A rare but life-threatening skin reaction, where skin turns very red and peels off, similar to what you would see with a severe burn. It typically occurs as a side effect to certain drugs but may also appear as a result of infection or suppression of the immune system.
- Translocation
An abnormal change in the DNA where two segments of different chromosomes switch positions.
- Treatment cycles
The period in which treatment is given (e.g., 21 days or 28 days). It is usually followed by a rest period in between treatments.
- Tumor-induced hypercalcemia (TIH)
Condition occurring in various forms of cancer noted by elevated levels of calcium in the blood due to increased bone destruction; also known as hypercalcemia of malignancy (HCM).
- Tumor lysis syndrome
A condition that can occur during cancer treatment when large numbers of cancer cells die; the breaking up of the cells and release of the material into the blood can cause organ damage.
- Tumor microenvironment
The normal cells, molecules and blood vessels that surround and feed a tumor cell. A tumor can change its microenvironment, and the microenvironment can affect how a tumor grows and spreads.
- Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a)
Cytokine with several effects in myeloma, including promotion of the growth of myeloma cells and activation of osteoclasts.
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u
- Urinalysis
Test that determines the level of protein and various chemical compounds in the urine.
- Urine electrophoresis (UEP)
Test used to detect and measure the levels of various proteins in the urine, especially Bence-Jones protein. Uses an electrical current to sort proteins by their size.
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v
- VAD
An older type of chemotherapy treatment. It consists of the combination of two chemotherapy drugs (Vincristine, Adriamycin) plus dexamethasone, a steroid.
- Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)
One of the major growth factors that promotes the growth of new blood vessels (angiogenesis).
- Velcade® (also known as bortezomib)
A highly effective myeloma drug, known as a proteasome inhibitor. It is usually given subcutaneously either alone or in combination with other myeloma drugs.
- Vertebroplasty
Procedure used to treat fractures of the spine.
- Very good partial response (VGPR)
Treatment outcome in which there is a greater than 90% decrease in M protein.
- Vincristine
A type of chemotherapy which is given intravenously (into a vein). It is part of an older type of myeloma treatment. See VAD.
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w
- White blood cell (WBC)
One of the major cell types in the blood; attacks infection and cancer cells as part of the immune system.
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z
- Zofran® (ondansetron)
A type of medicine used to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting as a result of cancer treatment. It is given either orally or intravenously (into a vein).
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