Disease progression: See “Progressive disease.” Electrolytes: Minerals in your blood and other body fluids that carry an electrical charge and are essential for life. Electrolytes include sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chloride, phosphate, and bicarbonate. They affect the amount of water in the body, the acidity of the blood (pH), nerve and muscle function (including the heart), and other important processes. Generic drug name: A brand name identifies a drug as property of the company that receives approval for it from a governmental regulatory agency, such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). After a drug goes “off patent,” other companies may make generic versions of the drug under a generic name that refers to the chemical makeup of a drug. Growth factors: Drugs that stimulate blood stem cells to both grow and be released into the bloodstream. High-risk multiple myeloma (HRMM): Myeloma that is more likely to relapse quickly after treatment or to be refractory to treatment, as defined by the cytogenetic (chromosomal) abnormalities t(4;14), t(14;16), t(14;20), del 17p, and 1q gain, along with Revised International Staging System (R-ISS) Stage III disease, and/or a high-risk gene expression profile (GEP) signature. Immune system: A complex network of cells, tissues, organs, and the substances they make. The immune system helps the body defend itself by destroying infected and diseased cells and removing cellular debris, while protecting healthy cells. Immunoglobulin (Ig): A protein produced by plasma cells; an essential part of the body’s immune system. Immunoglobulins attach to foreign substances (antigens) and assist in destroying them. The classes (isotypes) of immunoglobulins are IgG, IgA, IgD, IgE, and IgM. Each type of immuno globulin has a different function in the body. See “Antibody” and “Antigen.” • I gG, IgA – The two most common types of myeloma. The G and A refer to the immunoglobulin heavy chain produced by the myeloma cells. • I gD, IgE – These types of myeloma occur less frequently. • I gM – This is a rare type of myeloma. IgM myeloma is not the same as Waldenström macroglobulinemia. Immunomodulatory agent: A drug that can modify, enhance, or suppress the functioning of the immune system. An immunomodulatory agent is sometimes called an “immunomodulatory drug (IMiD®).” Immunomodulatory drug: See “Immunomodulatory agent.” Infusion-related reaction (IRR): A type of hypersensitivity reaction that develops during or shortly after an intravenous (IV) infusion. IRRs are caused by cytokines and can occur with many IV cancer therapies. myeloma.org
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