Glossary

Technical terms from trial descriptions – briefly explained.

B

Biomarker
A measurable characteristic in the body (e.g. a protein or a genetic change) that provides clues about a disease or the response to a therapy.
Bispecific antibody
An antibody that binds to cancer cells and immune cells at the same time, directing the immune system against the tumor.

C

CAR T-cell therapy
A treatment in which the patient's own immune cells (T cells) are modified in the laboratory so that they recognize and attack cancer cells.

E

Ethics committee
An independent body that reviews every trial before it starts for safety, benefit and the protection of participants.
Exclusion criteria
Circumstances that rule out participation, such as certain comorbidities or medications.

F

First line
The first treatment after diagnosis. Second and third line refer to treatments after a relapse or when there is no response.
Follow-up
The period after treatment in the trial during which you continue to be examined regularly to assess efficacy and tolerability in the long term.

I

Inclusion criteria
Requirements participants must meet to be able to take part in a trial – for example age, diagnosis or previous treatment.
Informed consent
Your written agreement to take part after detailed information. It can be withdrawn at any time.

P

Phase I–IV
Stages of drug testing: I safety and dosage, II efficacy, III comparison with the standard, IV observation after approval.
Placebo
A dummy medication without an active ingredient. In cancer trials only used in addition to standard therapy, almost never alone.

R

Randomization
Random allocation to a treatment group so that groups can be compared fairly. You cannot choose the group.
Refractory
A disease that does not respond, or no longer responds, to the previous treatment.
Relapse
The return of the disease after a treatment that initially worked.

S

Screening
Examinations before the start of the trial that check whether you meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Standard therapy
The currently recommended, established treatment that new therapies are compared with in trials.
Study arm
One of the groups in a trial that receives a particular treatment.

T

Trial site
A hospital or practice that conducts a trial and looks after participants.