Cancer immunotherapy – redefining vaccines
Glossary
antibody. A protein produced by the body's immune system in response to a foreign substance (antigen). An antibody reacts specifically with the antigen that induced its formation and inactivates the antigen. Our bodies fight off an infection by producing antibodies.
antigen. Any foreign substance, usually a protein, that stimulates the body's immune system to produce antibodies. (The name antigen reflects its role in stimulating an immune response – antibody generating.)
bacterium (plural bacteria). A single-celled, microscopic organism without a distinct nucleus.
B-cells (B-lymphocytes). A type of white blood cell that originates and develops in the bone marrow. B-cells can be stimulated to produce antibodies.
chemotherapy. Treatment of disease by using chemical compounds. Cancers are commonly treated by administering chemicals that are toxic to malignant cells.
dendritic cell. A cell that is involved in regulation of the immune system. Dendritic cells act by consuming and presenting antigen to lymphocytes. This activates the lymphocytes to fight infection or disease.
immune system. The cells, tissues and organs that assist the body to resist infection and disease by producing antibodies and/or altered cells that inhibit the multiplication of the infectious agent and provide resistance to disease.
immunotherapy. The use of the immune system to treat existing disease. This can be either through active immunotherapy, in which the patient's own immune system is trained to recognise diseased cells to be destroyed, or through the passive immunotherapy in which diseased cells are destroyed by antibodies created outside the body.
metastasis. The movement of cancer cells from one location to another part of the body, usually via the blood or lymphatic system.
monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Artificially created, identical antibodies that can be used to treat disease. mAbs will only bind to one antigen. They are created by fusing antibody-producing B-lymphocytes with immortal cancer cells.
mutation. A change in the DNA sequence of a gene that may be harmful or beneficial. It is the only process that actually leads to new forms of a gene, and it is the ultimate source of all variation.
radiotherapy. The use of high energy radiation to treat cancerous cells. The radiation destroys or slows the abnormal cells.
T-cell. White blood cells that are important for the body's immune response to specific antigens. Killer T-cells are like soldiers who search out and destroy invading bacteria or viruses or cancer cells.
toxins. Substances, produced by microorganisms, which affect the functioning of another organism.
virus. A submicroscopic infectious agent consisting of a nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) molecule surrounded by a protein coat. Viruses cannot replicate outside a living cell. More information can be found at How viruses work (How Stuff Works, USA).
External sites are not endorsed by the Australian Academy of Science.
Posted September 2008.