Treatment

Acquired Resistance

Cancer that initially responded to treatment but after time subsequently progresses.¹

Actionable Mutation

A genetic abnormality present in a tumor that can inform specific treatment decisions.³⁶

Basket Trial

A type of clinical trial that tests the effectiveness of a new drug among patients with different cancer types but the same genetic mutation or biomarker. ¹

Also called: Bucket trial

Biological Therapy

A treatment that uses living organisms, substances derived from living organisms, or laboratory-produced versions of such substances to treat disease. In oncology, this includes immunotherapies, some targeted therapies, cellular therapies, and cancer vaccines.¹

Also called: Biological response modifier (BRM) therapy, Biotherapy

Immunotherapy

A type of therapy that uses substances to suppress or stimulate a body’s immune system to fight cancer. An example of a biomarker targeted by immunotherapy (i.e., immune checkpoint inhibitor) is PD-1/PD-L1. ¹

Monoclonal Antibody

A lab-made protein that can bind to specific substances in the body, including cancer cells, and can be used to carry drugs, toxins, or radioactive substances directly to cancer cells.¹

Targeted Therapies

Therapeutics that are directed against specific targets found in/on cancer cells that may benefit from less harm to normal cells.¹

Targetable Alteration

A genetic abnormality present in a tumor that can be targeted by a specific therapy/therapies.³⁶

Tissue-Agnostic Therapy

A type of targeted therapy that uses drugs or other substances to treat cancer based on its genetic or molecular features, regardless of cancer type.¹

Also called: Tumor-agnostic therapy

Small-Molecule Inhibitor

A targeted therapy using a substance with a low molecular weight which can enter a cell to disrupt certain cellular pathways. An example of a small molecule inhibitor is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) which works by blocking the action of enzymes called tyrosine kinases, which play a role in cancer cell growth.¹

Umbrella Trial

A type of clinical trial that tests the effectiveness of a new drug among patients with the same cancer types but different genetic mutations or biomarkers. ¹