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• Cancer Drugs

- F -

• F-18 fluoroethyltyrosine

An amino acid analog radiolabeled with fluorine F 18, a positron emitting isotope, used as a tracer in positron emission tomography (PET). Reflecting the increased amino acid transport capacity of tumor cells, F-18 fluroethyltyrosine (F-18 FET) is actively taken up in tumor cells via amino acid transport system L, but is neither incorporated into proteins nor readily degraded, resulting in high intracellular concentrations of this imaging agent. Radiolableled amino acid-based agents are useful in PET brain tumor imaging because F-18 fluoro-deoxyglucose (F-18 FDG), commonly used in PET tumor imaging, is relatively insensitive for detecting tumors in the brain due the high levels of glycolytic metabolism in the normal cortex and to a lesser extent in white matter.



• Fareston

(Other name for: toremifene)



• Faslodex

(Other name for: fulvestrant)



• Femara

(Other name for: letrozole)



• Femest

(Other name for: conjugated estrogens)



• Feminone

(Other name for: ethinyl estradiol)



• fenretinide

An orally-active synthetic phenylretinamide analogue of retinol (vitamin A) with potential antineoplastic and chemopreventive activities. Fenretinide binds to and activates retinoic acid receptors (RARs), thereby inducing cell differentiation and apoptosis in some tumor cell types. This agent also inhibits tumor growth by modulating angiogenesis-associated growth factors and their receptors and exhibits retinoid receptor-independent apoptotic properties.



• fentanyl citrate

The citrate salt form of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid related to the phenylpiperidines with analgesic and anesthetic properties. Fentanyl exerts its analgesic effect by selectively binding to the mu-opioid receptor in the central nervous system (CNS), thereby mimicking the effects of endogenous opiates. Additional pharmacological effects of fentanyl include anxiolysis, euphoria, feelings of relaxation, respiratory depression, constipation, miosis, and cough suppression.



• ferrous sulfate

A sulfate salt of mineral iron formulated for oral administration and used as a dietary supplement, ferrous sulfate is absorbed in the stomach and small intestine and combines with apoferritin to form ferritin, which is stored in the liver, spleen, red bone marrow, and intestinal mucosa. Important in transport of oxygen by hemoglobin to the tissues, iron is also found in myoglobin, transferrin, and ferritin, and is a component of many enzymes such as catalase, peroxidase, and cytochromes.



• ferumoxtran-10

A synthetic ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide composed of dextran-coated iron oxide nanoparticles (also known as 'ultrasmall particulate iron oxides' or USPIO). Ferumoxtran-10, which accumulates in non-cancerous lymphatic tissue, is used as a molecular resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent.



• ferumoxytol

A superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle coated with a low molecular weight semi-synthetic carbohydrate, polyglucose sorbitol carboxymethyl ether, with potential anti-anemic and imaging properties. After intravenous administration, ferumoxytol replaces iron stores with fewer side effects compared to the use of oral iron. In addition, this agent generates T1 relaxation, producing a magnetic field and enhancing T2 relaxation, thereby darkening contrast media-containing structures in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Due to small particle size, ferumoxytol remains in the intravasculature for a prolonged period and so may be used as a blood pool agent.



• fibrin sealant

A plasma-derived fibrin biomatrix preparation consisting of two separate solutions that are combined on application. The sealer protein solution contains clottable human fibrinogen and bovine aprotinin, a fibrinolysis inhibitor; the thrombin solution contains human thrombin and calcium chloride. When the solutions are combined, a clot is formed, reproducing the final stages of the coagulation cascade.



• Fidelin

(Other name for: dehydroepiandrosterone)



• filgrastim

A recombinant therapeutic agent which is chemically identical to or similar to the endogenous cytokine human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). Produced endogenously by monocytes, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells, G-CSF binds to and activates specific cell surface receptors, stimulating neutrophil progenitor proliferation and differentiation and selected neutrophil functions.



• finasteride

A synthetic 4-azasteroid compound. Finasteride competitively binds to and inhibits steroid type II 5-alpha-reductase in the prostate gland, liver, and skin, thereby interfering with the enzymatic conversion of testosterone to 5-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and reducing serum DHT levels. The reduction in serum DHT levels results in diminished stimulation of androgen receptors in the nuclei of prostate cells and, so, diminished prostate cell proliferation.



• Flagyl

(Other name for: metronidazole)



• flavopiridol

A synthetic N-methylpiperidinyl chlorophenyl flavone compound. As an inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinase, flavopiridol induces cell cycle arrest by preventing phosphorylation of cyclin-dependent kinases (cdk) and by down-regulating cyclin D1 and D3 expression, resulting in G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. This agent is also a competitive inhibitor of adenosine triphosphate activity.



• flaxseed

Seed isolated from one of several species of the plant genus Linum. Flaxseed-derived foods, lignans, and essential fatty acids such as alpha-linolenic acid, possess anti-inflammatory, lipid-lowering, antioxidant, and antineoplastic properties.



• Flomax

(Other name for: tamsulosin hydrochloride)



• floxuridine

A fluorinated pyrimidine monophosphate analogue of 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine-5'-phosphate (FUDR-MP) with antineoplastic activity. As an antimetabolite, floxuridine inhibits thymidylate synthetase, resulting in disruption of DNA synthesis and cytotoxicity. This agent is also metabolized to fluorouracil and other metabolites that can be incorporated into RNA and inhibit the utilization of preformed uracil in RNA synthesis.



• fluconazole

A synthetic triazole with antifungal activity. Fluconazole preferentially inhibits fungal cytochrome P-450 sterol C-14 alpha-demethylation, resulting in the accumulation of fungal 14 alpha-methyl sterols, the loss of normal fungal sterols, and fungistatic activity. Mammalian cell demethylation is much less sensitive to fluconazole inhibition.



• fludarabine phosphate

The phosphate salt of a fluorinated nucleotide antimetabolite analog of the antiviral agent vidarabine (ara-A) with antineoplastic activity. Fludarabine phosphate is rapidly dephosphorylated to 2-fluoro-ara-A and then phosphorylated intracellularly by deoxycytidine kinase to the active triphosphate, 2-fluoro-ara-ATP. This metabolite may inhibit DNA polymerase alpha, ribonucleotide reductase and DNA primase, thereby interrupting DNA synthesis and inhibiting tumor cell growth.



• fludeoxyglucose F 18

A positron-emitting radiopharmaceutical containing radioactive 2-deoxy-2-[18F] fluoro-D-glucose. With similar cell uptake as glucose (high in tumor cells), fludeoxyglucose F 18 is not dephosphorylated and further metabolized.



• fluorine F 18 EF5

A radioconjugate consisting of EF5, a fluorinated derivative of etanidazole, conjugated to fluorine F 18, a positron emitting isotope. EF5 binds to hypoxic tissue; conjugation to Fluorine F 18 allows imaging of hypoxic regions within tumors.



• fluorouracil

An antimetabolite fluoropyrimidine analog of the nucleoside pyrimidine with antineoplastic activity. Fluorouracil and its metabolites possess a number of different mechanisms of action. In vivo, fluoruracil is converted to the active metabolite 5-fluoroxyuridine monophosphate (F-UMP); replacing uracil, F-UMP incorporates into RNA and inhibits RNA processing, thereby inhibiting cell growth. Another active metabolite, 5-5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine-5'-O-monophosphate (F-dUMP), inhibits thymidylate synthase, resulting in the depletion of thymidine triphosphate (TTP), a necessary constituent of DNA. Other fluorouracil metabolites incorporate into both RNA and DNA; incorporation into RNA results in major effects on both RNA processing and functions.



• fluoxymesterone

A halogenated derivative of 17-alpha-methyltestosterone. Similar to testosterone, fluoxymesterone binds to and activates specific nuclear receptors, resulting in an increase in protein anabolism, a decrease in amino acid catabolism, and retention of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus. This agent also may competitively inhibit prolactin receptors and estrogen receptors, thereby inhibiting the growth of hormone-dependent tumor lines. Fluoxymesterone is approximately five times more potent than methyltestosterone. (NCI04)



• fluoxymesterone

A halogenated derivative of 17-alpha-methyltestosterone. Similar to testosterone, fluoxymesterone binds to and activates specific nuclear receptors, resulting in an increase in protein anabolism, a decrease in amino acid catabolism, and retention of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus. This agent also may competitively inhibit prolactin receptors and estrogen receptors, thereby inhibiting the growth of hormone-dependent tumor lines. Fluoxymesterone is approximately five times more potent than methyltestosterone.



• fluphenazine hydrochloride

The hydrochloride salt of fluphenazine, a phenothiazine with antipsychotic activity and potential antineoplastic activity. Fluphenazine blocks postsynaptic dopamine D2 receptors in the limbic system, cortical system and basal ganglia, resulting a reduction of schizophrenia-associated hallucinations and delusions. In addition, as a serotonin antagonist, this agent may inhibit lymphocyte and myeloma cell proliferation by blocking 5-hydroxytrptamine type 1B (5-HT type 1B) receptors for serotonin.



• Flurizan

(Other name for: R-flurbiprofen)



• flutamide

A toluidine derivative and nonsteroidal antiandrogen that is structurally related to bicalutamide and nilutamide. Flutamide and its more potent active metabolite 2-hydroxyflutamide competitively block dihydrotestosterone binding at androgen receptors, forming inactive complexes which cannot translocate into the cell nucleus. Formation of inactive receptors inhibits androgen-dependent DNA and protein synthesis, resulting in tumor cell growth arrest or transient tumor regression.



• Fluvastatin Sodium

The sodium salt of a synthetic lipid-lowering agent with potential antineoplastic properties. Fluvastatin competitively inhibits hepatic 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, the enzyme which catalyzes the conversion of HMG-CoA to mevalonate, a key step in cholesterol synthesis. This agent lowers plasma cholesterol and lipoprotein levels, and modulates immune responses through the suppression of MHC II (major histocompatibility complex II) on interferon gamma-stimulated, antigen-presenting cells such as human vascular endothelial cells. Due to anti-inflammatory effects mediated by their alterations of lipid metabolism, statins may possess chemopreventive and therapeutic antineoplastic properties.



• Folex PFS

(Other name for: methotrexate)



• folic acid

A collective term for pteroylglutamic acids and their oligoglutamic acid conjugates. As a natural water-soluble substance, folic acid is involved in carbon transfer reactions of amino acid metabolism, in addition to and purine and pyrimidine synthesis, and is essential for hematopoiesis and red blood cell production.



• fondaparinux sodium

The sodium salt form of fondaparinux, a synthetic glucopyranoside with antithrombotic activity. Fondaparinux sodium selectively binds to antithrombin III, thereby potentiating the innate neutralization of activated factor X (Factor Xa) by antithrombin. Neutralization of Factor Xa inhibits its activity and interrupts the blood coagulation cascade, thereby preventing thrombin formation and thrombus development.



• forodesine hydrochloride

The hydrochloride salt of the synthetic high-affinity transition-state analogue forodesine. Forodesine binds preferentially to and inhibits purine nucleotide phosphorylase (PNP), resulting in the accumulation of deoxyguanosine triphosphate and the subsequent inhibition of the enzyme ribonucleoside diphosphate reductase and DNA synthesis. This agent selectively causes apoptosis in stimulated or malignant T-lymphocytes. A transition state analogue is a substrate designed to mimic the properties or the geometry of the transition state of reaction.



• fotemustine

A chloroethylating nitrosourea with antineoplastic activity. Fotemustine alkylates guanine by forming chloroethyl adducts at the 6 position of guanine, resulting in N1-guanine and N3-cytosine cross linkages, inhibition of DNA synthesis, cell cycle arrest, and finally apoptosis. This agent is lipophilic and crosses the blood-brain barrier.



• fowlpox virus vaccine vector

A recombinant fowlpox virus-based vaccine vector designed to express various tumor-associated peptide antigens. Strong CD8 cytotoxic T cell responses may be induced after prolonged immunization with fowlpox virus vaccines and have been associated with tumor regression. Fowlpox virus is an attractive vector because its genome is easy to manipulate and it does not multiply in human tissues.



• fowlpox-CEA-TRICOM vaccine

A cancer vaccine comprised of a recombinant fowlpox viral vector encoding the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and TRICOM. TRICOM is comprised of three co-stimulatory molecule transgenes (B7-1, ICAM-1 and LFA-3). This agent may enhance CEA presentation to antigen presenting cells (APC) and activate cytotoxic T-cells against CEA-expressing tumors.



• fowlpox-NY-ESO-1 vaccine

A cancer vaccine consisting of a recombinant fowlpox virus vector encoding an immunogenic peptide derived from the cancer-testis antigen NY-ESO-1, an antigen found in normal testis and various tumors, including bladder, breast, hepatocellular, melanoma, and prostate cancers. Vaccination with NY-ESO-1 peptide vaccine may stimulate the host immune system to mount a humoral and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response against tumor cells expressing NY-ESO-1 antigen, resulting in tumor cell lysis.



• fowlpox-PSA vaccine

A cancer vaccine consisting of a recombinant fowlpox virus encoding human prostate-specific antigen (PSA). Administration of this agent may stimulate a cytotoxic T cell response against PSA-expressing tumor cells. Fowlpox virus is an attractive vector because its genome is easy to manipulate and it is replication incompetent in mammalian cells.



• fowlpox-PSA-TRICOM vaccine

A cancer vaccine consisting of a recombinant fowlpox virus encoding human prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and TRICOM, a combination of three immunostimulants (i.e., B7.1, ICAM-1, and LFA-3). Administration of this agent may induce a cytotoxic T cell response against PSA-expressing tumor cells. Dendritic cells infected with TRICOM vectors greatly enhance naive T-cell activation and peptide-specific T-cell stimulation. Fowlpox virus is an attractive vector because its genome is easy to manipulate and it is replication incompetent in mammalian cells.



• fowlpox-TRICOM vaccine

A cancer vaccine comprised of a recombinant fowlpox virus vector encoding TRICOM. TRICOM is comprised of three co-stimulatory molecule transgenes (B7-1, ICAM-1 and LFA-3) that may enhance antigen presentation and activate cytotoxic T-cells. Fowlpox virus is an attractive vector because its genome is easy to manipulate and it is replication incompetent in mammalian cells.



• fowlpox-tyrosinase vaccine

A recombinant fowlpox virus vaccine with potential antineoplastic activity. Binding to the melanoma antigen tyrosinase, the fowlpox-tyrosinase vaccine generates cellular immune responses against melanoma cells expressing the tyrosinase antigen; this effect is enhanced by the co-administration of interleukin 2 (IL-2). Fowlpox virus is an attractive vector because its genome is easy to manipulate and it is replication incompetent in mammalian cells.



• Fragmin

(Other name for: dalteparin)



• fruit and vegetable extracts

Extracts from fruits and vegetables that contain fiber, vitamins, minerals, and other natural substances with antioxidant, lipid-lowering, and antiproliferative properties. Used in chemoprevention therapy, these extracts may prevent the development or recurrence of cancer.



• FUDF

(Other name for: floxuridine)



• fully human anti-alpha-v integrin monoclonal antibody

A pan alpha-v human monoclonal antibody that recognizes alpha-v beta-1, alpha-v beta-3, alpha-v beta-5, and alpha-v beta-6 integrins with antiangiogenic and antitumor activities. Fully human anti-alpha-v integrin monoclonal antibody competitively binds to and blocks both alpha-v beta-3 and alpha-v beta-5 integrins, resulting in inhibition of integrin-mediated tumor angiogenesis and tumor growth. Integrins facilitate the adhesion of stimulated endothelial cells to the extracellular matrix (ECM); trigger the secretion of ECM-rearranging proteases and; propagate signaling events that promote the survival and differentiation of cells in newly formed vasculature.



• fulvestrant

A synthetic estrogen receptor antagonist. Unlike tamoxifen (which has partial agonist effects) and the aromatase inhibitors (which reduce the estrogen available to tumor cells), fulvestrant binds competitively to estrogen receptors in breast cancer cells, resulting in estrogen receptor deformation and decreased estrogen binding. In vitro studies indicate that fulvestrant reversibly inhibits the growth of tamoxifen-resistant, estrogen-sensitive, human breast cancer cell lines.



• Fungizone

(Other name for: amphotericin B deoxycholate)