ACQUIRED IMMUNITY
The aspect of the body’s immune response that is learned from encountering foreign antigens
ACTIVE IMMUNOTHERAPY
A type of immunotherapy that stimulates the person’s immune system to respond to one or more antigens by producing antibodies, e.g. a vaccine
ANAEMIA
A condition characterised by the shortage of red blood cells or haemoglobin (a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen around the body)
B CELL
A type of white blood cell, or lymphocyte, that produces antibodies
BACTERIA
Microscopic single-celled organisms, some of which are capable of causing infection
BETA-BLOCKERS
Drugs that slow the heart rate and lower blood pressure
BONE MARROW
A spongy tissue found inside some bones (e.g. hip and thigh bones). It contains stem cells, which are cells that can develop into the red blood cells, white blood cells or platelets
BRONCHOSCOPY
A procedure by which a doctor inserts a special device into the main breathing tube (bronchus), usually via the nose or mouth, to examine the airways (including the lungs)
BSA
Body surface area; the measurement of the surface area of the body
CARDIAC
Relating to the heart
CARDIOLOGIST
A doctor who specialises in diseases and abnormalities of the heart
CHECKPOINT INHIBITOR
A type of drug that blocks certain immune response- inhibiting proteins made by immune system cells, such as T cells, and some cancer cells and thus enhances the body’s immune response
CHEMOTHERAPY
A type of cancer treatment using medicine that kills the cancer cells by damaging them, so that they cannot reproduce and spread
CLINICAL TRIAL
A study that evaluates the effects of a medical treatment or intervention
COLITIS
Inflammation of the colon or large intestine
COLON
Large intestine
ANTIBIOTICS
Drugs that fight bacterial infections
ANTIBODY
A blood protein produced in response to, and able to counteract, a specific antigen
ANTI-DIARRHOEAL
A medication that provides symptomatic relief from
diarrhoea ANTIGEN
A molecule capable of inducing an immune response
ANTIGEN-PRESENTING CELL
Any cell that can ingest and present an antigen to an immune cell in a form it recognises and responds to
ANTIHISTAMINE
A type of drug used to treat allergies
ATEZOLIZUMAB
A type of immunotherapy that blocks the interaction between PD-L1 and PD-1 on the surface of certain immune cells called T cells; this activates T cells
to find and kill cancer cells. Atezolizumab is a monoclonal antibody. It is administered through a drip into a vein in your arm or chest
AUTOIMMUNITY
An immune response against the body’s own healthy cells and tissues
AVELUMAB
A type of immunotherapy that blocks the interaction between PD-L1 and PD-1 on the surface of certain immune cells called T cells; this activates T cells to find and kill cancer cells. Avelumab is a monoclonal antibody. It is administered through a drip into a vein in your arm or chest
Immunotherapy-related side effects
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ESMO Patients Guide
GLOSSARY
COLONOSCOPY
A procedure in which a flexible instrument is inserted into the anus (back passage) in order to examine the colon
FATIGUE
Overwhelming tiredness
FUNGI
Microscopic organisms some of which are capable of causing infection
GASTROINTESTINAL
Relating to stomach and intestines
GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT
The digestive tract, comprising a large muscular tube extending from the mouth to the anus (back passage) via the stomach that is responsible for digesting food and expelling waste products as stools (faeces)
HAIR FOLLICLE
A small sac in the skin from which hair grows from
HEPATITIS
Inflammation of the liver
HORMONE
A chemical messenger produced by a specialised gland in the body
HYPERTHYROIDISM Overactivity of the thyroid gland
HYPOPHYSITIS
Inflammation of the pituitary gland (located in the brain)
HYPOTHYROIDISM
Underactivity of the thyroid gland
IMMUNE CELL
A cell involved in an immune response or forming part of the immune system
IMMUNE CHECKPOINT
A molecule in the immune system that either turns up a signal (enhances the immune response) or turns down a signal (decreases the immune response)
IMMUNE RESPONSE
The reaction of cells and fluids of the body to the presence of a substance which is not recognised as a part of the body itself
IMMUNE SYSTEM
The system in the body that works to ward off infection and disease
IMMUNO-ONCOLOGICAL
Relating to immuno-oncology (next page)
CONSTIPATION
Difficulty emptying the bowels, usually associated with hardened faeces
CORNEA
The transparent layer forming the front of the eye
CORTICOSTEROID
A type of steroid drug used to relieve inflammation
CT SCAN
Computed tomography; a scan using x-rays and a computer to create detailed images of the inside of your body
CTLA-4
A special protein molecule that, functioning as an immune checkpoint, “turns down” an immune response once it has done its job
CTLA-4 INHIBITOR
A type of drug that blocks the CTLA-4 immune checkpoint on the surface of certain immune cells called T cells; this activates T cells to find and kill cancer cells, thereby enhancing the immune response
CYTOTOXIC T CELL
A type of white blood cell, or lymphocyte, able to kill infected or cancer cells
DERMATOLOGIST
A doctor who specialises in diseases of the skin
DIARRHOEA
Abnormal frequency of loose or liquid stools (faeces)
DURVALUMAB
A type of immunotherapy that blocks the interaction between PD-L1 and PD-1 on the surface of certain immune cells called T cells; this activates T cells to find and kill cancer cells. Durvalumab is a monoclonal antibody. It is administered through a drip into a vein in your arm or chest
ELECTROLYTE
A substance (e.g. sodium or calcium) that regulates the flow of nutrients into, and waste products out of, cells
ENDOCRINE
Relating to glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream
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GLOSSARY
IMMUNO-ONCOLOGY
The discipline in medicine that uses strategies harnessing the immune system to treat cancer
IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE
Drugs or other factors that partially or completely suppressing the immune response
IMMUNOTHERAPY
The prevention or treatment of disease with substances that stimulate (or suppress) the immune response
INFLIXIMAB
A type of drug called a monoclonal antibody that is used to treat autoimmune diseases
INNATE IMMUNITY
A non-specific type of immunity that humans are born with and which does not require a learning process or prior exposure to an antigen
INTRAVENOUS
Administered into a vein
IPILIMUMAB
A type of immunotherapy that blocks the CTLA-4 immune checkpoint on the surface of certain immune cells called T cells; this activates T cells to find and kill cancer cells. Ipilimumab is a monoclonal antibody. It is administered through a drip into a vein in your arm
LEUCOCYTE
A white blood cell involved in the immune response
LEUCOPAENIA
A decrease in the number of leucocytes (a type of white blood cell) in the blood, which places individuals at increased risk of infection
LOPERAMIDE
A drug used to treat diarrhoea
LYMPHATIC SYSTEM
The network of vessels through which a clear fluid called lymph drains from the tissues into the blood; it is a vital part of the immune system
LYMPHOCYTE
A type of white blood cell
LYMPHOID
Relating to cells, tissues and organs that make up the
lymphatic system
MAJOR HISTOCOMPATIBILITY COMPLEX
A group of protein molecules on the surface of cells that enable the immune system to differentiate self from non-self
MALIGNANT
Malignant is another term for cancerous. Malignant cells can invade nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body
MEMORY CELL
A long-lived lymphocyte capable of remembering and responding to a particular antigen the next time it encounters it
MICROORGANISM
A microscopic organism (e.g. a virus)
MOLECULE
The smallest physical unit of a substance
MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY
A type of targeted therapy. Monoclonal antibodies recognise and attach to specific proteins produced by cells. Each monoclonal antibody recognises one particular protein. They work in different ways depending on the protein they are targeting
MUCOSITIS
The painful inflammation and ulceration of the mucous membranes lining the digestive tract
MUTATED
Relating to a permanent alteration in the DNA sequence that makes up a gene, such that the sequence differs from what is found in most people
NAUSEA
A feeling of sickness with an urge to vomit (be sick)
NEUROLOGICAL
Relating to any aspect of the nervous system
NEUTROPAENIA
An abnormally low level of neutrophils in the blood, which increases risk of infection
NIVOLUMAB
A type of immunotherapy that blocks a protein called PD-1 on the surface of certain immune cells called T cells; this activates the T cells to find and kill cancer cells. Nivolumab is a monoclonal antibody. It is administered through a drip into a vein in your arm or chest
ORAL
By mouth
Immunotherapy-related side effects
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ESMO Patients Guide
GLOSSARY
PASSIVE IMMUNOTHERAPY
Interventions designed to improve upon the body’s existing immune response
PEMBROLIZUMAB
A type of immunotherapy that blocks a protein called PD-1 on the surface of certain immune cells called
T cells; this activates the T cells to find and kill cancer cells. Pembrolizumab is a monoclonal antibody. It is administered through a drip into a vein in your arm or chest
PD-1
A special protein molecule that, functioning as an immune checkpoint, “turns down” an immune response once it has done its job
PD-1 INHIBITOR
A type of drug that blocks the PD-1 immune checkpoint and thus enhances the immune response
PD-L1
A special protein molecule that binds to, and activates, PD-1, in order to “turns down” an immune response
PD-L1 INHIBITOR
A type of drug that blocks PD-L1 and thus enhances the immune response
PITUITARY GLAND
The major endocrine gland, a pea-sized structure attached to the base of the brain
PLATELET
A tiny blood cell that helps your body form clots to stop bleeding
PNEUMONITIS
Inflammation of the walls of the alveoli (air sacs) in the lungs
PROTEIN
A large molecule that makes up most of the organs and tissues of the body
PRURITUS
Itching
RED BLOOD CELL
The blood cells that carry oxygen around the body and remove carbon dioxide
REPRODUCTIVE TRACT
Organ system by which humans reproduce and (in females) bear offspring
RESPIRATORY
Relating to the respiratory tract (below)
RESPIRATORY TRACT
The passage formed by the mouth, nose, throat and lungs through which air passes during breathing
RHEUMATOLOGICAL
Relating to the branch of medicine that deals with the study and treatment of rheumatic diseases
SELF-ANTIGEN
A molecule that is recognised as belonging to the body and which does not normally evoke an immune response in the same person
SIGMOIDOSCOPY
A procedure by which a doctor inserts a special device into the rectum (back passage) to examine the lower portion of the large intestine (or bowel)
SPLEEN
A small organ in the abdomen that cleans the blood and is a key part of the immune system
STEROID
See corticosteroid
T CELL
A type of white blood cell or lymphocyte
T CELL RECEPTOR (TCR)
A molecule on the surface of T cells that recognises antigens
THROMBOCYTOPAENIA
A deficiency of platelets in the blood. This causes bleeding into the tissues, bruising, and slow blood clotting after injury
THYMUS GLAND
A small organ situated in the neck that produces T cells for the immune system
THYROID GLAND
A butterfly-shaped organ located in the lower part of the neck at the front. It releases hormones that control metabolism (the way the body uses energy)
TOPICAL
Applied directly to a particular part of the body
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GLOSSARY
TUMOUR
A lump or growth of abnormal cells. Tumours may be benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). In this guide, the term ‘tumour’ refers to a cancerous growth, unless otherwise stated
TUMOUR ANTIGEN
An antigen produced by tumour cells
TUMOUR-INFILTRATING LYMPHOCYTE
White blood cells that have left the bloodstream and migrated into a tumour
TUMOUR-TARGETED DRUGS
A newer type of cancer treatment using drugs that precisely identify and attack cancer cells, usually while doing little damage to normal cells
URINARY TRACT
Collective term for the bladder, kidneys, ureters and urethra
VIRUS
A very small microorganism that can grow and reproduce inside a living cell in the body
VITILIGO
A skin disorder in which pigment is lost causing white patches on various parts of the body
VOMITING
Forcible ejection of stomach contents through the mouth
WHITE BLOOD CELL
A type of blood cell (leucocyte) involved in the immune response
X-RAY
An imaging test, using a type of radiation that can pass through the body, that allows your doctor to see inside your body
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