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NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms


34 results found for:       Z



zafirlukast    listen   (zuh-FER-loo-kast)
A drug used to prevent and treat symptoms of asthma. It blocks substances that cause inflammation in the lungs. It is a type of antiasthmatic agent and a leukotriene receptor antagonist. Also called Accolate.

Zaltrap       (ZAL-trap)
A drug used with other drugs to treat colorectal cancer that has spread to other parts of the body and has not gotten better with chemotherapy. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Zaltrap blocks the action of a protein called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and may prevent the growth of new blood vessels that tumors need to grow. It is a type of antiangiogenesis agent. Also called vascular endothelial growth factor trap, VEGF Trap, and ziv-aflibercept.

zanamivir    listen   (zuh-NA-mih-veer)
A drug used to prevent and to treat influenza virus infections. It blocks the release of the virus from infected cells. It is a type of antiviral agent. Also called Relenza.

Zarnestra    listen   (zar-NESS-truh)
A substance that is being studied in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and other types of cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called farnesyltransferase inhibitors. Also called R115777 and tipifarnib.

ZD0473      
A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called platinum analogs.

ZD1839      
A drug that is used to treat certain types of non-small cell lung cancer and is being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. It is a type of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Also called gefitinib and Iressa.

ZD4054      
A substance that is being studied in the treatment of prostate cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called endothelin-receptor antagonists.

ZD6126      
A substance that has been studied in the treatment of several types of cancer. ZD6126 destroys blood vessels in tumors and may prevent the growth of new blood vessels that tumors need to grow. It is a type of vascular targeting agent and a type of antiangiogenesis agent.

ZD6474      
A drug used to treat medullary thyroid cancer that has spread to other parts of the body and cannot be treated by surgery. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. ZD6474 prevents the growth of new blood vessels that tumors need to grow. It also blocks enzymes needed for cell growth and may kill cancer cells. It is a type of antiangiogenesis agent and a type of tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Also called Caprelsa and vandetanib.

Zelboraf    listen   (ZEL-boh-raf)
A drug used to treat advanced melanoma that has a mutated (changed) form of a cell protein called BRAF. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Zelboraf blocks this mutated protein, which may stop the growth of cancer cells. It is a type of kinase inhibitor and a type of targeted therapy agent. Also called BRAF (V600E) kinase inhibitor RO5185426, PLX4032, RG7204, and vemurafenib.

Zestril    listen   (ZEH-stril)
A drug used to treat high blood pressure and certain heart conditions. It is also being studied in the prevention and treatment of side effects caused by some anticancer drugs. It blocks certain enzymes that cause blood vessels to constrict (narrow). It is a type of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. Also called lisinopril and Prinivil.

Zevalin    listen   (ZEH-vuh-lin)
A monoclonal antibody that is used to treat certain types of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma and is being studied in the treatment and detection of other types of B-cell tumors. Monoclonal antibodies are made in the laboratory and can locate and bind to substances in the body, including cancer cells. Ibritumomab binds to the protein called CD20, which is found on B cells. It is linked to the compound tiuxetan. This allows certain radioisotopes to be attached before it is given to a patient. It is a type of monoclonal antibody-chelator conjugate. Also called ibritumomab tiuxetan.

Zheng    listen   (jung)
In traditional Chinese medicine, a way of diagnosing disease based on observing a set of signs and symptoms. A practitioner checks Zheng by looking at the patient; asking questions; feeling the pulse, organs, and tissues; listening to body sounds; and smelling the body.

zibotentan    listen   (zy-boh-TEN-tan)
A substance being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer. Zibotentan may block cancer cell growth. It is a type of endothelin-A receptor antagonist.

ziconotide    listen   (zih-KAH-noh-tide)
A drug used in the treatment of chronic pain. Also called Prialt and SNX 111.

zidovudine    listen   (zy-DOH-vyoo-DEEN)
A drug that inhibits the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that causes AIDS. It is a type of systemic antiviral. Also called AZT.

zileuton    listen   (zy-LOO-tin)
A substance that is used to prevent asthma symptoms and that is being studied in the prevention of lung cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called leukotriene blockers.

zinc oxide    listen   (zink OK-side)
A compound that may enhance immune function, especially when administered by inhalation.

zinc sulfate    listen   (zink SUL-fayt)
A substance required for cell growth and tissue repair. It is being studied as a way to prevent or decrease mucositis caused by radiation therapy.

Zinecard    listen   (ZIH-neh-kard)
A drug used to reduce heart damage in women given doxorubicin for breast cancer that has spread. It is also being studied in the treatment of cancer. Zinecard contains the active ingredient dexrazoxane. It is a type of cardioprotective agent, a type of chemoprotective agent, and a type of topoisomerase inhibitor.

ziv-aflibercept    listen   (ziv-a-FLIH-ber-sept)
A drug used with other drugs to treat colorectal cancer that has spread to other parts of the body and has not gotten better with chemotherapy. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Ziv-aflibercept blocks the action of a protein called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and may prevent the growth of new blood vessels that tumors need to grow. It is a type of antiangiogenesis agent. Also called vascular endothelial growth factor trap, VEGF Trap, and Zaltrap.

Zocor    listen   (ZOH-kor)
A drug used to lower the amount of cholesterol and other harmful substances in the blood, such as triglycerides. It is also being studied in the treatment of cancer and other conditions. Zocor blocks an enzyme that helps make cholesterol in the body. It is a type of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor and a type of statin. Also called simvastatin.

Zofran    listen   (ZOH-fran)
A drug used to treat nausea and vomiting caused by cancer treatment. It is a type of serotonin receptor antagonist and a type of antiemetic. Also called ondansetron hydrochloride.

zoledronate    listen   (zoh-LEH-droh-nayt)
A drug used to treat patients with hypercalcemia (high blood levels of calcium) caused by cancer. It is also used together with other drugs to treat multiple myeloma and to prevent bone fractures and reduce bone pain in people who have cancer that has spread to the bone. It is a type of bisphosphonate. Also called zoledronic acid and Zometa.

zoledronic acid    listen   (ZOH-leh-DRAH-nik A-sid)
A drug used to treat patients with hypercalcemia (high blood levels of calcium) caused by cancer. It is also used together with other drugs to treat multiple myeloma and to prevent bone fractures and reduce bone pain in people who have cancer that has spread to the bone. It is a type of bisphosphonate. Also called zoledronate and Zometa.

Zolinza    listen   (zoh-LIN-zah)
A drug that is used to treat cutaneous T-cell lymphoma that does not get better, gets worse, or comes back during or after treatment with other drugs. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Zolinza is a type of histone deacetylase inhibitor. Also called SAHA, suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid, and vorinostat.

Zollinger-Ellison syndrome    listen   (ZOLE-lin-jer-EH-lih-sun SIN-drome)
A disorder in which tumors of the pancreatic islet cells produce large amounts of gastrin (a hormone), leading to excess acid in the stomach and, possibly, a peptic ulcer (ulcer of the stomach or the upper part of the small intestine).

Zoloft    listen   (ZOH-loft)
A drug used to treat depression. It is a type of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Also called sertraline.

zolpidem    listen   (zole-PIH-dem)
A drug used to treat insomnia (inability to sleep), and anxiety. It is a type of imidazopyridine (sedative hypnotic). Also called Ambien.

Zometa    listen   (ZOH-meh-tuh)
A drug used to treat patients with hypercalcemia (high blood levels of calcium) caused by cancer. It is also used together with other drugs to treat multiple myeloma and to prevent bone fractures and reduce bone pain in people who have cancer that has spread to the bone. It is a type of bisphosphonate. Also called zoledronate and zoledronic acid.

zosuquidar trihydrochloride    listen   (ZOH-soo-KWIH-dar try-HY-droh-KLOR-ide)
A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. Zosuquidar trihydrochloride may help kill cancer cells that are resistant to anticancer drugs. Also called LY335979.

Zyprexa    listen   (zy-PREK-suh)
A drug used to treat certain mental disorders. It is also being studied in the treatment of nausea and vomiting caused by some cancer treatments. It is a type of antipsychotic and a type of monoamine antagonist. Also called olanzapine and Zyprexa Zydis.

Zyprexa Zydis    listen   (zy-PREK-suh ZY-dis)
A drug used to treat certain mental disorders. It is also being studied in the treatment of nausea and vomiting caused by some cancer treatments. It is a type of antipsychotic and a type of monoamine antagonist. Also called olanzapine and Zyprexa.

Zytiga    listen   (zy-TEE-guh)
A drug used to treat prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body and did not respond to hormone therapy and certain anticancer drugs. It is also being studied in the treatment of breast cancer and other types of cancer. Zytiga blocks tissues from making androgens (male hormones), such as testosterone. This may stop the growth of cancer cells that need androgens to grow. Zytiga is a type of antiandrogen. Also called abiraterone acetate.

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