Glossary* A Adjuvant therapy Additional cancer treatment given after the primary treatment to lower the risk that the cancer will come back. Adjuvant therapy may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, or biological therapy. Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) An independent, research funding agency entity within the National Institutes of Health that supports transformative biomedical and health breakthroughs. Angiogenesis The process of growing new blood vessels from the existing vasculature. Angiogenesis is important for numerous normal body functions, as well as tumor growth and metastasis. Antibody–drug conjugate A therapeutic comprising an antibody chemically linked to a cytotoxic chemotherapeutic. The antibody binds to specific proteins on the surface of certain types of cells, including cancer cells. The linked cytotoxic chemotherapeutic enters these cells and kills them without harming nearby cells. Artificial Intelligence A phenomenon that leverages computers and machines to mimic the problem-solving and decision-making capabilities of the human mind, such as how to act, reason, and learn. B B cell A type of immune cell that makes proteins, called antibodies, which bind to microorganisms and other foreign substances, and help fight infections. A B cell is a type of white blood cell. Also called B lymphocyte. B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) A receptor that plays an important role in regulating B-cell proliferation and survival. BCMA is expressed on the cell membrane of normal and malignant plasma cells, but not other normal tissues. Biomarker A biological molecule found in blood or other body fluids or tissues that is a sign of a normal or abnormal process, or of a condition or disease. A biomarker may be used to see how well the body responds to a treatment for a disease or condition. Biomedical Research and Development Price Index (BRDPI) A measure of how much the National Institutes of Health budget must change to maintain purchasing power. The BRDPI is updated annually. Bispecific antibody A type of antibody that can bind to two different antigens at the same time. Bispecific antibodies are being studied in the imaging and treatment of cancer. They are made in the laboratory. BRCA1/2 Genes that produce proteins that are involved in repairing damaged DNA. Females who inherit certain mutations in a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene are at increased risk of developing breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and some other types of cancer. Males who inherit certain BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations are at increased risk of developing breast cancer, prostate cancer, and some other types of cancer. Breast cancer Cancer that forms in tissues of the breast. The most common type of breast cancer is ductal carcinoma, which begins in the lining of the milk ducts (thin tubes that carry milk from the lobules of the breast to the nipple). Another type of breast cancer is lobular carcinoma, which begins in the lobules (milk glands) of the breast. Invasive breast cancer is breast cancer that has spread from where it began in the breast ducts or lobules to surrounding normal tissue. Breast cancer occurs in both men and women, although male breast cancer is rare. C Cachexia Loss of body weight and muscle mass, and weakness that may occur in patients with cancer, AIDS, or other chronic diseases. Cancer A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinomas begin in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcomas begin in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemias arise in blood-forming tissue, such as the bone marrow, and cause large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood. Lymphomas and multiple myeloma originate in the cells of the immune system. Central nervous system cancers arise in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord. Also called malignancy. Carcinogen Any substance that causes cancer. Carcinoma A cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. *This list contains some of the specialized terms pertinent to the AACR Cancer Progress Report 2023. The NCI has been used as the primary source for most definitions. AACR Cancer Progress Report 2023 Glossary 184
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