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Glossary

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  • Cytokine Release Syndrome

    (SY-toh-kine reh-LEES SIN-drome)

    A condition that may occur after treatment with some types of immunotherapy, such as monoclonal antibodies and CAR-T cells. Cytokine release syndrome is caused by a large, rapid release of cytokines into the blood from immune cells affected by the immunotherapy. Cytokines are immune substances that have many different actions in the body. Signs and symptoms of cytokine release syndrome include fever, nausea, headache, rash, rapid heartbeat, low blood pressure, and trouble breathing. Most patients have a mild reaction, but sometimes, the reaction may be severe or life threatening.

  • Cytokines

    (SY-toh-kine)

    A type of protein that is made by certain immune and non-immune cells and has an effect on the immune system. Some cytokines stimulate the immune system and others slow it down. They can also be made in the laboratory and used to help the body fight cancer, infections, and other diseases. Examples of cytokines are interleukins, interferons, and colony-stimulating factors (filgrastim, sargramostim).

  • Cytomegalovirus

    (SY-toh-MEH-guh-loh-VY-rus)

    A virus that may be carried in an inactive state for life by healthy individuals. It is a cause of severe pneumonia in people with a suppressed immune system, such as those undergoing bone marrow transplantation or those with leukemia or lymphoma. Also called CMV.

  • DA-EPOCH-R

    An abbreviation for a chemotherapy combination used to treat certain types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It includes the drugs etoposide phosphate, prednisone, vincristine sulfate (Oncovin), cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin hydrochloride (hydroxydaunorubicin), and rituximab.

  • DICER1

    Having a mutation in the DICER1 gene increases the risk of certain types of tumors, including tumors of the kidney, thyroid, ovary, cervix, testicle, brain, eye, and lining of the lung. The tumors may be benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer). A goiter (an enlarged thyroid) and polyps in the colon may also occur. Not all people who have a mutation in the DICER1 gene will develop tumors.

  • DNA

    The molecules inside cells that carry genetic information and pass it from one generation to the next. Also called deoxyribonucleic acid.

  • Dasatinib

    (da-SA-tih-nib)

    A drug used to treat children with chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) that is Philadelphia chromosome positive (Ph+). It is also used to treat adults with certain types of CML and acute lymphoblastic leukemia that are Ph+. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Dasatinib blocks BCR-ABL and other proteins, which may help keep cancer cells from growing. It is a type of tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Also called BMS-354825 and Sprycel.

  • Decongestant

    A medicine that helps to shrink mucous membranes and decrease production of mucous.

  • Decortication

    (deh-KOR-tih-KAY-shun)

    Removal of part or all of the external surface of an organ.

  • Deep sedation

    (... seh-DAY-shun)

    A level of sedation in which a person is in a deep sleep, loses feeling, and is hard to wake up. Deep sedation is caused by special drugs and is used to help relieve anxiety during certain medical or surgical procedures. Oxygen may also be given to help the patient breathe and drugs that relieve pain may be given at the same time. The patient usually does not remember the procedure.