Glossary

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

Immunosuppression: Suppression of the body's immune system and its ability to fight infections or disease. Immunosuppression may be deliberately induced with drugs, as in preparation for bone marrow or other organ transplantation to prevent rejection of the donor tissue. It may also result from certain diseases such as AIDS or lymphoma or from anticancer drugs.

Immunotherapy: Treatment to stimulate or restore the ability of the immune system to fight cancer, infections, and other diseases. Also used to lessen certain side effects that may be caused by cancer treatment. Also called biological therapy, biotherapy, biological response modifier therapy, and BRM therapy.

Induction: Treatment designed to be used as a first step and to evaluate the response to drugs and other agents. Induction therapy is followed by additional therapy to eliminate whatever cancer remains.

Induction therapy: Treatment designed to be used as a first step and to evaluate the response to drugs and other agents. Induction therapy is followed by additional therapy to eliminate whatever cancer remains.

Infusion: A method of putting fluids, including drugs, into the bloodstream. Also called intravenous (IV) infusion.

Injection: Use of a syringe and needle to push fluids or drugs into the body; often called a "shot."

Interferon alpha: See alpha interferon.

Interferons: Proteins produced naturally by white blood cells that stimulate the growth of certain disease-fighting blood cells in the immune system. Manufactured forms of interferons are used in cancer immunotherapy to improve the body's natural response to disease.

Interleukin: A biological response modifier (substance that can improve the body's natural response to infection and disease) that helps the immune system fight infection and cancer. These substances are normally produced by the body. They are also made in the laboratory for use in treating cancer and other diseases.

Interleukin-2 (IL-2): An agent that stimulates the growth of specific types of white blood cells; used in cancer immunotherapy.

INTRON® A (Interferon alfa-2b, recombinant) for Injection: A medication used in the therapy of malignant melanoma.

IV: Into a vein.

IV (intravenous): Into a vein.