Glossary

Standard chemotherapy used in the treatment of several types of brain cancer, multiple myeloma and lymphoma (Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin’s). Also known as carmustine.

A drug or combination of drugs used to destroy all rapidly dividing cells, including – but not limited to – cancer cells.

A clinical study is designed to evaluate the safety and/or efficacy of drugs, devices, treatments, or preventive measures in humans.

The arm of a clinical study, in which patients receive either an approved treatment for a disease (e.g. standard chemotherapy) or placebo (dummy treatment). Results from these patients are compared with those from patients receiving the medication under investigation to determine, whether the new treatment is more effective than standard treatment or no treatment.

Convection-enhanced delivery is a novel method to deliver drugs e.g. into brain tissue. Drugs are infused under continuous low pressure via a catheter, enabling sufficient amounts of the drug to be delivered at the exact site of a tumor, circumventing the blood-brain barrier.

The material inside the nucleus of cells that carries genetic information. The scientific name for DNA is deoxyribonucleic acid.

Dangerous to health; characterized by progressive and uncontrolled growth (especially of a tumor).

The body´s defense system, made up of organs and cells that protect the body against infection, disease and foreign substances.

An injection or infusion into the vein.

An MRI uses magnets and radiofrequency waves to generate images of the inside of the body. An MRI can provide important information about tissues and organs that is not available from other imaging techniques (e.g. X-ray). This technology can be used in combination with a special chemical (contrast medium), which makes tumors more visible.

The template for protein synthesis

The individual steps and processes by which a drug works.

A protein as it is being formed at the site of a ribosome before it folds into its active shape.

A part of the cell containing DNA and RNA and responsible for growth and reproduction.

Any agent (e.g. bacteria, virus, protein), which either directly or indirectly causes disease.

A chemotherapy regimen consisting of three chemotherapy drugs: procarbazine, lomustine (CCNU), and vincristine

Phase I studies are the first clinical studies evaluating a new medication in humans. They are designed to determine how the drug is catabolized and how it interacts with the human body. Phase I studies may reveal some of the side effects associated with increasing doses and, when possible, provide early evidence of efficacy of the new medication.

Phase II studies continue to evaluate the safety of the drug, and begin to evaluate, how well the new medication works with a certain dosing regime. They collect additional safety and efficacy information. Several dosing regimens and/or a comparison vs. standard treatment may be performed in Phase II studies.

Phase III studies are performed after Phase I and Phase II studies have shown sufficient evidence of efficacy and safety. These studies gather the additional information about safety and efficacy needed to evaluate the drug’s overall benefit/risk profile. At the end of most Phase III studies, the drug will be considered either inferior, equal or superior to standard treatment. Phase III data are submitted to regulatory authorities and form the basis for approval of a new medication.

Chance of recovery; a prediction of the course or outcome of a disease

A scientific measure of personal well-being

The shrinkage or disappearance of a tumor

The small structure within the cell, where RNA is translated into proteins

Occurring at the same time

Disease (here: cancer) that is neither decreasing nor increasing in extent or severity

A type of treatment, which employs medication or other substances to specifically identify and attack cancer cells and mechanisms within the body, that can cause cancer, yet does not attack healthy cells. Antisense is a type of targeted therapy.

World Health Organization