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- Absolute neutrophil count (ANC)The number of white blood cells in the blood that are neutrophils; a low ANC indicates neutropenia and a possible increased risk of infection.
- Accelerated Approval
Designation assigned to a drug by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) intended to make promising products for life-threatening diseases available on the market on the basis of preliminary evidence prior to formal demonstration of patient benefit. In this case, clinical studies and(...) - Actionable target
A genetic mutation that causes cancer to develop and for which a drug can block its cancer-causing activity.
- Active immunotherapy
Type of immunotherapy that stimulates the body to mount an immune response; an example is a vaccine.
- Active multiple myeloma
Multiple myeloma in which the percentage of plasma cells in the bone marrow is greater than 10% and in which the patient shows one or more CRAB symptoms (see definition at CRAB).
- Adaptive immunity
The part of the immune system that is composed of highly specialized cells designed to recognize foreign invaders and attack them any time they enter the body.
- Adhesion molecules
Complementary molecules present on cell surfaces that allow cells to interact with each other, acting in the same way as a lock and key.
- Adjuvant
(1) When referring to vaccines, an adjuvant is a substance administered as part of, or along with, a vaccine that increases its effectiveness by strengthening the immune response against the vaccine. (2) Adjuvant therapy also refers to a treatment that is given in addition to a standard(...) - Adriamycin (doxorubicin)
A type of chemotherapy which is given intravenously (into a vein). It is part of an older type of myeloma treatment called VAD. VAD consists of the combination of Vincristine (another chemotherapy drug), Adriamycin, and dexamethasone which is a steroid.
- Adverse event (AE)
Any unfavorable and unintended sign (including an abnormal laboratory finding), symptom, or disease that occurs after a medical treatment or procedure; AEs may or may not be related to the treatment or procedure. An adverse event is a term that is a unique representation of a specific event(...) - Albumin
Major protein found in the blood; albumin level can indicate a person's overall health and nutritional status.
- Alkeran®
See Melphalan.
- Allogeneic stem cell transplant
Procedure in which stem cells from another person are transplanted into a patient.
- Allograft
Allogeneic stem cell transplant.
- Aloxi® (palonosetron)
A type of medicine used to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting as a result of cancer treatment. It is given intravenously (into a vein).
- Alpha interferon
Cytokine produced by T cells that exhibits a variety of immunomodulating effects, including suppression of cell growth and enhancement of tumor cell killing.
- Amyloid protein
Fiber-like substance, often composed of light chains and other proteins, that can accumulate in and damage various tissues and organs.
- Amyloidosis
Condition related to multiple myeloma whereby a patient’s light chains can clump together to form insoluble protein fibers known as amyloid fibrils. Amyloid fibrils can accumulate in various tissues and organs, disrupting their normal functions. Rarely, patients with myeloma may also develop(...) - Anemia
Decrease in the number of red blood cells in the blood.
- Angiogenesis
Growth of new blood vessels.
- Anthracycline
Class of anticancer drugs that includes doxorubicin (Adriamycin®) and related compounds such as daunorubicin and daunomycin.
- Antibody
Protein produced by plasma cells that helps protect the body from infection and disease (also called immunoglobulin; see also monoclonal antibody).
- Antibody-drug conjugate (ADC)
A monoclonal antibody that is coupled to a drug (such as a toxin, a radioactive isotope, or a chemotherapy); one example is Blenrep.
- Antiemetic
Drug that prevents or relieves nausea and vomiting.
- Antigen
Substance that stimulates the production of an antibody to which it subsequently binds.
- Antimicrobial
Drug that kills or slows the growth of bacteria.
- Anzemet® (dolasetron)
A type of medicine used to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting as a result of cancer treatment. It is given intravenously (into a vein).
- Apheresis
A procedure in which blood is taken from a patient, part of the blood (such as white blood cells) is taken out, and the rest of the blood is returned to the patient.
- Apoptosis
Programmed (natural) cell death.
- Asthenia
Marked loss of body strength.
- Autograft
Autologous stem cell transplant.
- Autoimmune diseases
Illnesses that occur when the body tissues are attacked by its own immune system.
- Autologous
From the patient. In myeloma, this term usually refers to a commonly used type of stem cell transplantation where the patient serves as their own donor.
- Autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT)
Procedure in which stem cells collected from a patient are transplanted back into that patient; the most common type of transplant performed in myeloma.
- Autologous transplant
Transplant whereby the patient’s own cells or tissues are collected and reinfused or transplanted.
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