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Glossary

Showing 601-610 out of 1156 Terms

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  • Immune checkpoint inhibitors

    (ih-MYOON CHEK-poynt in-HIH-bih-ters)

    A type of drug that blocks proteins called checkpoints that are made by some types of immune system cells, such as T cells, and some cancer cells. These checkpoints help keep immune responses from being too strong and sometimes can keep T cells from killing cancer cells.

  • Immune reaction

    A reaction of normal tissues to substances recognized as "foreign" i.e. not self.

  • Immune system

    ih-MYOON SIS-tem

    The complex system by which your body resists infection by microbes such as bacteria or viruses and rejects transplanted tissues or organs. The immune system may also help the body fight some cancers.

  • Immune system

    ih-MYOON SIS-tem

    A complex network of cells, tissues, organs, and the substances they make that helps the body fight infections and other diseases. The immune system includes white blood cells and organs and tissues of the lymph system, such as the thymus, spleen, tonsils, lymph nodes, lymph vessels, and bone marrow.

  • Immunity

    (ih-MYOO-nih-tee)

    In medicine, the immune system’s way of protecting the body against an infectious disease.

  • Immunizations

    (IH-myoo-nih-ZAY-shun)

    A technique used to cause an immune response that results in resistance to a specific disease, especially an infectious disease.

  • Immunocompromised

    (IH-myoo-noh-KOM-proh-mized)

    Having a weakened immune system. Patients who are immunocompromised have a reduced ability to fight infections and other diseases. This may be caused by certain diseases or conditions, such as AIDS, cancer, diabetes, malnutrition, and certain genetic disorders. It may also be caused by certain medicines or treatments, such as anticancer drugs, radiation therapy, and stem cell or organ transplant. Also called immunosuppressed.

  • Immunoglobulin

    (IH-myoo-noh-GLAH-byoo-lin)

    A protein that is made by B cells and plasma cells (types of white blood cells) and helps the body fight infection. Some immunoglobulins may be found in higher than normal amounts in patients with certain conditions or certain types of cancer, including multiple myeloma and Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia. Measuring the amount of specific immunoglobulins in the blood and urine may help diagnose cancer or find out how well treatment is working or if cancer has come back. Some immunoglobulins may be used as tumor markers. Also called Ig.

  • Immunohistochemistry

    (IH-myoo-noh-HIS-toh-KEH-mih-stree)

    A lab test that uses antibodies to test for certain antigens (markers) in a sample of tissue. The antibodies are usually linked to an enzyme or a fluorescent dye. When the antibodies bind to the antigen in the tissue sample, the enzyme or dye is activated, and the antigen can then be seen under a microscope. Immunohistochemistry is used to help diagnose diseases, such as cancer. It may also be used to help tell the difference between different types of cancer.

  • Immunophenotyping

    (IH-myoo-noh-FEE-noh-ty-ping)

    A process that uses antibodies to identify cells based on the types of antigens or markers on the surface of the cells. This process is used in basic research and to help diagnose diseases, such as specific types of leukemia and lymphoma. Immunophenotyping may also be used to separate cells into different groups based on the markers they have on the surface.