In biology, to stimulate a cell in a resting state to become active. This causes biochemical and functional changes in the activated cell.

analgesic (AN-ul-JEE-zik)

A drug that reduces pain. Analgesics include aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen.

anti-inflammatory (AN-tee-in-FLA-muh-TOR-ee)

Having to do with reducing inflammation.

anticonvulsant (AN-tee-kun-VUL-sunt)

A drug or other substance used to prevent or stop seizures or convulsions. Also called antiepileptic.

antiemetic (AN-tee-eh-MEH-tik)

A drug that prevents or reduces nausea and vomiting.

appetite (A-peh-tite)

A desire to satisfy a physical or mental need, such as for food, sex, or adventure.

bioavailable

The ability of a drug or other substance to be absorbed and used by the body. Orally bioavailable means that a drug or other substance that is taken by mouth can be absorbed and used by the body.

cancer (KAN-ser)

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. Carcinoma
is a cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line
or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is a cancer that begins in
bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other
connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is a cancer that
starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and
causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced
and enter the blood. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are
cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system.
Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in
the tissues of the brain and spinal cord. Also called malignancy.

central nervous system (SEN-trul NER-vus SIS-tem)

The brain and spinal cord. Also called CNS.

chemical (KEH-mih-kul)

A substance made up of elements, such as hydrogen or sodium.

chemotherapy (KEE-moh-THAYR-uh-pee)

Treatment with drugs that kill cancer cells.

clinical trial (KLIH-nih-kul TRY-ul)

A type of research study that tests how well new medical approaches work in people. These studies test new methods of screening, prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of a disease. Also called clinical study.

compassionate use trial (kum-PA-shuh-nut yoos TRY-ul)

A way to provide an investigational therapy to a patient who is not eligible to receive that therapy in a clinical trial, but who has a serious or life-threatening illness for which other treatments are not available. Compassionate use trials allow patients to receive promising but not yet fully studied or approved cancer therapies when no other treatment option exists. Also called expanded access trial.

complementary and alternative medicine (KOM-pleh-MEN- tuh-ree... all-TER-nuh-tiv MEH-dih-sin)

Forms of treatment that are used in addition to (complementary) or instead of (alternative) standard treatments. These practices generally are not considered standard medical approaches. Standard treatments go through a long and careful research process to prove they are safe and effective, but less is known about most types of CAM. CAM may include dietary supplements, megadose vitamins, herbal preparations, special teas, acupuncture, massage therapy, magnet therapy, spiritual healing, and meditation. Also called CAM.

concentration (KON-sun-TRAY-shun)

In science, the amount of a substance, such as a salt, that is in a certain amount of tissue or liquid, such as blood. A substance becomes more concentrated when less water is present. For example, the salt in urine may become more concentrated when a person doesn't drink enough water.

cytochrome P450 enzyme system (SY-tuh-krome ... EN-zime SIS-tem)

A group of enzymes involved in drug metabolism and found in high levels in the liver. These enzymes change many drugs, including anticancer drugs, into less toxic forms that are easier for the body to excrete.

dronabinol (droh-NAH-bih-nol)

A synthetic pill form of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), an active ingredient in marijuana that is used to treat nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy.

drug

Any substance, other than food, that is used to prevent, diagnose, treat or relieve symptoms of a disease or abnormal condition. Also refers to a substance that alters mood or body function, or that can be habit-forming or addictive, especially a narcotic.

generic (jeh-NEH-rik)

Official nonbrand names by which medicines are known. Generic names usually refer to the chemical name of the drug.

hepatic (heh-PA-tik)

Refers to the liver.

heroin (HAYR-uh-win)

A substance made from morphine. Heroin is very addictive and it is illegal to use or sell it in the United States. It is a type of opiate.

immune system (ih-MYOON SIS-tem)

The complex group of organs and cells that defends the body against infections and other diseases.

ingestion

Taking into the body by mouth.

inhalation

In medicine, refers to the act of taking a substance into the body by breathing.

investigational (in-VES-tih-GAY-shuh-nul)

In clinical trials, refers to a drug (including a new drug, dose, combination, or route of administration) or procedure that has undergone basic laboratory testing and received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be tested in human subjects. A drug or procedure may be approved by the FDA for use in one disease or condition, but be considered investigational in other diseases or conditions. Also called experimental.

liver (LIH-ver)

A large organ located in the upper abdomen. The liver cleanses the blood and aids in digestion by secreting bile.

marijuana (MAYR-uh-WAH-nuh)

The dried leaves and flowering tops of the Cannabis sativa plant, or an extract from the plant. Marijuana is being studied in the treatment of nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy or opiate drugs, such as morphine sulfate. Marijuana is also being studied in the treatment of pain.

metabolite (meh-TA-boh-lite)

A substance made or used when the body breaks down food, drugs or chemicals, or its own tissue (for example, fat or muscle tissue). This process, called metabolism, makes energy and the materials needed for growth, reproduction, and maintaining health. It also helps get rid of toxic substances.

narcotic (nar-KAH-tik)

A substance used to treat moderate to severe pain. Narcotics are like opiates such as morphine and codeine, but are not made from opium. They bind to opioid receptors in the central nervous system. Narcotics are now called opioids.

nausea

A feeling of sickness or discomfort in the stomach that may come with an urge to vomit. Nausea is a side effect of some types of cancer therapy.

oral (OR-ul)

By or having to do with the mouth.

ounce

A measure of weight (one-sixteenth pound) and volume (one-eighth cup).

pharmacopoeia

A book describing chemicals, drugs, and other substances and how they are used as medicines. It is prepared by a recognized authority.

physician (fih-ZIH-shun)

Medical doctor.

plasma (PLAZ-muh)

The clear, yellowish, fluid part of the blood that carries the blood cells. The proteins that form blood clots are in plasma.

prescription (prih-SKRIP-shun)

A doctor's order for medicine or another intervention.

receptor (reh-SEP-ter)

A molecule inside or on the surface of a cell that binds to a specific substance and causes a specific physiologic effect in the cell.

scientist

A person who has studied science, especially one who is active in a particular field of investigation.

sedative (SEH-duh-tiv)

A drug or substance used to calm a person down, relieve anxiety, or help a person sleep.

side effect

A problem that occurs when treatment affects healthy tissues or organs. Some common side effects of cancer treatment are fatigue, pain, nausea, vomiting, decreased blood cell counts, hair loss, and mouth sores.

significant

In statistics, describes a mathematical measure of difference between groups. The difference is said to be significant if it is greater than what might be expected to happen by chance alone. Also called statistically significant.

surgeon (SER-jun)

A doctor who removes or repairs a part of the body by operating on the patient.

symptom

An indication that a person has a condition or disease. Some examples of symptoms are headache, fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and pain.

synthetic (sin-THEH-tik)

Having to do with substances that are man-made instead of taken from nature.

vomit (VAH-mit)

To eject some or all of the contents of the stomach through the mouth.

western medicine (... MEH-dih-sin)

A system in which medical doctors and other healthcare professionals (such as nurses, pharmacists, and therapists) treat symptoms and diseases using drugs, radiation, or surgery. Also called allopathic medicine, biomedicine, conventional medicine, mainstream medicine, and orthodox medicine.