allele - Any of the alternative forms of a gene that are located together on a chromosome. For autosomal chromosomes, each allele will normally have two copies of the same gene, one inherited from the mother and one from the father.

angiogenesis - Growth of new blood vessels.

antibody - A type of protein made by certain white blood cells in response to a foreign substance (antigen). Antibodies bind to the antigen and either destroy the foreign substance directly or make it easier for the body to do so.

antigen - A foreign substance that causes the immune system to make a specific immune response.

apoptosis - A type of cell death where the cell is "programmed" to "commit suicide" when it has been sufficiently damaged or is no longer needed.

autosomal - Pertaining to a chromosome not involved in sex determination.

autosomal dominant - Requires that only one affected parent have the trait to pass it to offspring.

biomarker - A substance sometimes found in the blood, other body fluids, or tissues that can be used to assess the presence of cancer.

biosensor - A type of biomolecular probe that measures the presence or concentration of biological molecules, biological structures, etc., by translating a biochemical interaction at the probe surface into a quantifiable physical signal such as light or electric pulse. biospecimen - Sample taken from a patient such as blood, tissue, urine, or sputum.

cachexia - The loss of body weight and muscle mass frequently seen in patients with cancer, AIDS, or other diseases.

candidate gene - A gene researchers suspect may be related to a certain condition, such as cancer.

case-control study - An epidemiological study in which the risk factors of people with a certain disease (cases) are compared with those without the disease (controls).

cell line - Cells of a single type taken from an animal or human and grown in the laboratory. cohort study - A research study that compares a particular outcome, such as lung cancer, in groups of individuals who are alike in many ways but differ by a certain characteristic - for example, female nurses who smoke compared with those who do not smoke.

combinatorial chemistry - The systematic creation of large numbers of small molecules in "libraries" that can be screened in vitro for potential as cancer drugs.

comparative genomic hybridization - A method of identifying and mapping differences in DNA sequencing data between normal cells and tumor cells.

computer adaptive data collection/ testing - A computer administered test that tailors the content of the test to the skills of the test taker.

correlative study - A type of study that tests for a relationship between a condition and a potential causal factor of the condition - e.g., cancer and obesity.

cytotoxic - Cell killing.

deregulated pathway - A molecular pathway that is not regulated in a normal manner by the cell. dietary crucifer - Any of a family (Cruciferae) of plants including cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, and greens such as mustard greens.

DNA - Deoxyribonucleic acid. The molecule that encodes genetic information in the nucleus of cells. It determines the structure, function, and behavior of the cell.

dopamine - A neurotransmitter and hormone. Dopamine levels have been associated with mood state.

enzyme - A protein that speeds up chemical reactions in the body.

epidemiology - The study of the patterns, causes, and control of disease in groups of people.

epigenetic effects - Changes in cellular biochemistry that influence the phenotype produced from a genotype. Epigenetic effects differ from genetic effects, which are caused by DNA mutation.

epithelium - The thin layer of tissue that covers organs, glands, and other structures within the body.

etiology - The study of the cause or origin of disease.

expression - The process by which a gene's coded information is converted into the structures present and operating in the cell. extracellular matrix - Any material produced by cells and secreted into the surrounding medium.

fibroadenoma - A benign solid growth, usually found in the breast.

fibrosis - The formation of fibrous tissue.

functional genomics - Study of the function of individual genes and interactions among groups of genes to address biological questions.

functional imaging - Sometimes called molecular imaging. Imaging techniques for detecting molecular signals that indicate the presence of biochemical activity and changes, such as cell growth or death.

gene variant - A gene that is essentially the same as another, but has mutational differences.

genetic profile - DNA analysis of a person's body tissue or body fluid.

genome - The complete genetic material of an organism.

genotype - Referring to the genetic constitution (makeup) of an individual or group.

genotyping - Measuring features of an individual's genotype - e.g., testing for genetic mutations.

germline - The body's reproductive cells (egg or sperm). Germline DNA becomes incorporated into the DNA of every cell in the body of offspring.

haplotype - A group of alleles of different genes that are linked closely enough to be inherited as a unit.

histology - The study of cells and tissues at the microscopic level.

histone - A type of protein found in chromosomes that help give them their shape and help control the activity of genes.

hyperplasia - An abnormal increase in the number of cells in an organ or tissue.

immune-mediated benefit - A benefit that results from activity of the immune system - e.g., mobilization of white blood cells against cancer cells.

immunotoxin - An antibody linked to a toxic substance. Some immunotoxins can bind to cancer cells and kill them.

in silico analysis - Analysis performed using computers in conjunction with informatics capabilities.

in vitro - In the laboratory (outside the body).

in vivo - In the body. late effect - Side effects of cancer treatment that only become apparent with long-term monitoring of the patient.

ligand - Any molecule that binds to another; usually a soluble molecule such as a hormone or neurotransmitter that binds to a protein receptor.

longitudinal study - A study that involves the repeated observation or examination of a set of subjects over time with respect to one or more study variables.

lymphedema - A condition in which excess fluid collects in tissue and causes swelling.

MAO-B inhibitor - A type of drug that inhibits the function of the enzyme, monoamine oxidase B. MAO-B inhibitors are commonly used to treat depression and Parkinson's disease.

methylation - The addition of a chemical group (methyl) to DNA that epigenentically alters gene expression.

microarray - A powerful technology that allows simultaneous measurement of expression levels for up to tens of thousands of genes.

microdissection - Dissection of tissues under a microscope.

microenvironment - Local and systemic architecture surrounding a cancer cell. Includes other cells, growth factors, enzymes, and parts of the blood and lymphatic systems.

microsatellite - A repetitive stretch of short DNA sequences that occur in increased numbers in cancer cells.

molecular beacon - A type of biosensor that emits a signal, such as light, when it encounters a particular feature, such as a particular type of protein.

molecular epidemiology - Epidemiology that focuses on measurements of molecular features. molecular imaging - See "functional imaging."

molecular signature - Characteristic features of the molecular composition of a cell or its surroundings.

molecular target - Molecular features in a cancer cell or its surroundings critical to cancer development or progression that can potentially be disrupted to prevent or treat the disease.

monoclonal antibody - Laboratory-produced protein that can locate and bind to a particular feature of cancer cells in the body. Monoclonal antibodies can be used to deliver drugs, toxins, or radioactive material directly to a tumor.

mucinous - Pertaining to cells that line certain internal organs and produce mucin (the main component of mucus).

multimodal therapy - Therapy that combines more than one method of treatment.

mutation - A permanent change in the genetic material, usually in a single gene.

mycochemical - A chemical derived from fungi.

nanometer - A metric unit of measure. Approximately 25.4 million nanometers equal one inch. nanoparticle - Small clusters of atoms about 1 to 100 nanometers long.

nanotechnology - Technology development at the atomic, molecular, or macromolecular range of approximately 1-100 nanometers to create and use structures, devices, and systems that have novel properties.

neoplastic - Abnormal and uncontrolled cell growth.

nicotinic acetylcholine receptor - A type of neurotransmitter receptor in the hippocampus (a part of the brain) that naturally responds to acetylcholine.

nucleotide - Molecules that comprise the building blocks of DNA.

oncogene - A gene that normally directs cell growth, but is altered to promote or allow uncontrolled cellular growth.

open-source - Of or relating to source code (e.g., computer code) that is available to the public.

patient navigation - The recruitment and training of persons from underserved communities to assist in navigating patients through standard cancer diagnosis and treatment services.

peptide - Any compound consisting of two or more amino acids, the building blocks of proteins.

pharmacogenomics - The study of individual genetic differences in response to drug therapy.

pharmacology - The study of the properties and reactions of drugs, especially with relation to their therapeutic value.

phenotype - The visible or measurable properties of an organism that are produced by the interaction of the genotype and the environment - e.g., eye color.

polymorphism - Common variation or mutation in DNA, not always harmful.

process measure - An index of the degree to which a service or procedure is performed correctly and appropriately; that is, the service or procedure's likely benefit exceeds its likely harms or risks.

proof of principle study - A study that demonstrates an agent to have the desired biological effect on its target.

prospective study - A study in which participants are identified and then followed forward in time.

proteasome inhibitor - Drugs that block the action of proteasomes, cellular complexes that break down proteins.

proteomics - The comprehensive study of proteins and their functions.

quantum dots - Tiny crystals that glow when stimulated by ultraviolet (UV) light; an in vivo application of nanotechnology.

radiolabeled - Labeled for detection with a radioactive material.

radiotracer - A radioactive substance that can be traced in the body.

reference clone - The sequence for a particular gene that is accepted as the true sequence.

resequencing - A specific application of gene sequencing that precisely determines the sequence of bases in DNA. Resequencing is used to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).

retrospective analysis - A study that looks backward in time, usually using medical records and interviews with patients who already have or had a disease.

RNA - Ribonucleic acid, one of the two types of nucleic acids found in all cells. (The other is DNA.) RNA transmits genetic information from DNA to proteins produced by the cell.

RNAi - RNA inhibitor.

sequencing - Determination of the order of nucleotides in a DNA or RNA molecule or the order of amino acids in a protein.

single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) - A genetic change that is caused by substitution of a single nucleotide.

stem cell - A cell from which other types of cells can develop.

stroma - The supporting connective tissue of an organ.

suicide genes - Genes that, when expressed, cause cell death through apoptosis.

surrogate biomarker - A biomarker used to assess a surrogate endpoint.

surrogate endpoint - A laboratory measurement of some biological indicator of a drug's effectiveness, used in place of longer-term outcome measures.

survey item bank - A collection of commonly used questionnaire items and scales.

telemedicine - Delivery of health services via remote telecommunications.

toxicology - The study of the chemistry and effects of poisonous substances and the treatment of poisoning.

vascularization - Formation of blood vessels.

von Hippel-Lindau syndrome - A rare inherited disorder in which blood vessels grow abnormally in the eyes, brain, spinal cord, adrenal glands, or other parts of the body. People with this syndrome have a higher risk of developing some types of cancer.

well-differentiated - A tumor which is superficially similar in appearance to the parent tissue.

yttrium - A rare elemental metal. A radioactive form of yttrium is used in radiation therapy and some types of immunotherapy.