5-FU = fluorouracil

AC = doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide

AE = adverse event

BC = breast cancer

BCS = breast cancer-specific subscale

bFGF(Mitogenic growth factor that is widely utilised during wound-healing, growth and development) = basic fibroblast growth factor(Mitogenic growth factor that is widely utilised during wound-healing, growth and development)

CALGB = Cancer and Leukemia Group B

CHF(A condition in which the heart's function as a pump is inadequate to deliver oxygen-rich blood to parts of the body, which become congested with fluid) = congestive heart failure(A condition in which the heart's function as a pump is inadequate to deliver oxygen-rich blood to parts of the body, which become congested with fluid)

CI(A range of values used to indicate the reliability of an estimate (or a set of values within which there is a specified probability)) = confidence interval(A range of values used to indicate the reliability of an estimate (or a set of values within which there is a specified probability))

CNS = central nervous system

CRC = colorectal cancer

DCIS = ductal carcinoma(The medical term for a malignant tumour consisting of transformed epithelial cells, but include transformed cells of unknown cell lineage or origin) in situ

DFS = disease-free survival

DOC = docetaxel

DOR = duration of response(The length of time after treatment that a patient remains in complete or partial remission)

DSMB = Data Safety Monitoring Board

EBC = early breast cancer

EC = epirubicin and cyclophosphamide

ECOG = Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group

EGFR = epidermal growth factor receptor(Proteins located on the cell surface. When a specific molecule called a ligand binds to a receptor, signalling pathways are activated)

EGF = epidermal growth factor

EMEA = European Medicines Agency

ER(A hormone receptor specific to oestrogen that is found at high levels in some breast cancers; binding of oestrogen to ER can cause accelerated growth of these tumours) = oestrogen receptor

ESMO = European Society for Medical Oncology

FAC = fluorouracil, doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide

FACT-B = functional analysis of cancer therapy - breast

FDA = Food and Drug Administration 

FEC = fluorouracil, epirubicin and cyclophosphamide

FOLFIRI = folinic acid, 5-fluorouracil, irinotecan

FOLFOX = leucovorin, 5-fluorouracil, oxaliplatin

Flt = fms-related tyrosine kinase

GBM = glioblastoma

GI(Complete penetration of the wall of the stomach, small intestine or large bowel, resulting in intestinal contents flowing into the abdominal cavity) = gastrointestinal(Complete penetration of the wall of the stomach, small intestine or large bowel, resulting in intestinal contents flowing into the abdominal cavity)

HER2 = human epidermal growth factor-2

HIF = hypoxia-induced factor

HR(An estimate of relative risk of an event occurring) = hazard ratio(An estimate of relative risk of an event occurring)

IFL = irinotecan, fluorouracil, leucovorin

IFN(A type of immunotherapy. A natural substance produced in the body in tiny amounts as part of the immune response. It is given in much larger quantities as treatment to boost the immune system and help fight cancer) = interferon-α2a

IFP = interstitial fluid pressure

INV = investigator

IRF = independent review facility

IRC = independent review committee

ITT(Usually pertaining to an analysis that is based on the initial treatment intent, not on the treatment eventually administered) = intent-to-treat

KIT = stem-cell factor receptor

LR = locally recurrent

LV = leucovorin

LVEF = left ventricular ejection fraction

MAb = monoclonal antibody(An antibody produced by a single clone of cells (specifically, a single clone of hybridoma cells). They are being tested as a possible form of cancer treatment)

mBC = metastatic(Pertaining to the spread of a disease, usually cancer, from one organ or part to another non-adjacent organ or part) breast cancer

mCRC = metastatic colorectal cancer

mRCC = metastatic renal cell carcinoma

META = metastatic brain tumour(An abnormal growth of cells, forming a mass of tissue)

MIU = million units

MMP = matrix metallopeptidase

MoA = mode of action

mRCC = metastatic renal cell carcinoma

MSKCC = Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center

mTOR(A serine/threonine protein kinase that regulates cell growth, cell proliferation, cell motility, cell survival, protein synthesis and transcription) = mammalian target of rapamycin(A serine/threonine protein kinase that regulates cell growth, cell proliferation, cell motility, cell survival, protein synthesis and transcription)

MVD = microvessel density

NCCN = National Comprehensive Cancer Network

NE = not evaluable

NP or NRP = neuropilin

NSCLC = non-small cell lung cancer

OCS = observational cohort study

ORR(The proportion of patients with defined tumour shrinkage; generally the sum of partial responses plus complete responses) = objective/overall response rate

OS(The time from trial entry to death from any cause) = overall survival(The time from trial entry to death from any cause)

PAC = paclitaxel

PD = disease progression(A carcinogenic process whereby genetically altered cells undergo a second (non-genetic) cell expansion resulting in uncontrollable growth)

PDGF = platelet-derived growth factor 

PD-ECGF(A substance contained in the alpha granules of blood platelets whose action contributes to the growth of endothelial cells in blood vessel walls) = platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor(A substance contained in the alpha granules of blood platelets whose action contributes to the growth of endothelial cells in blood vessel walls)

PFS(The time from trial entry to disease progression or death from any cause) = progression-free survival(The time from trial entry to disease progression or death from any cause)

PlGF = placental growth factor

PP = per protocol

PR = progesterone receptor

q3w = every 3 weeks

QoL(A phrase used to refer to an individual’s total well-being) = quality of life(A phrase used to refer to an individual’s total well-being)

RCC = renal cell carcinoma

SLD = sum of the longest diameter of target lesions

TAF = tumour angiogenesis(The growth of new blood vessels from pre-existing vessels) factor

TGF = transforming growth factor 

TK = tyrosine kinase

TKI = tyrosine kinase inhibitor

TOI-B = trial outcome index specific for breast cancer

TOT-B = trial outcome total for breast cancer

tPA = tissue-type plasminogen activator

TTF(The time from the start of treatment to when the treatment is no longer effective) = time to treatment failure(The time from the start of treatment to when the treatment is no longer effective)

TTP(The time from when a patient enters a study and the time that either the disease progresses (advances) or the patient dies) = time to progression(The time from when a patient enters a study and the time that either the disease progresses (advances) or the patient dies)

ULN = upper limit of normal

uPA = urokinase plasminogen activator

VEGF(A protein that promotes angiogenesis and is known to be a prognostic factor in several types of tumour) = vascular endothelial growth factor(A protein that promotes angiogenesis and is known to be a prognostic factor in several types of tumour)

VEGFR(Characterises the capacity of a blood vessel wall to allow for the flow of small molecules (ions, water, nutrients) or even whole cells (lymphocytes on their way to the site of inflammation) in and out of the vessel) = VEGF receptor

XELOX = capecitabine plus oxaliplatin

VHL = von Hippel-Lindau