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| CA-125: A tumor marker, blood level of which can be used to detect malignancy or its progression. This marker is frequently used to detect ovarian cancer; however, some benign condition can also elevate the level of CA-125. Cachexia: A profound state of constitutional disorder marked by general ill health and malnutrition. An emaciated state of cachexia is often seen in cancer patients. Candidemia: Presence in the blood of the fungus Candida. Candidiasis: Infection with a fungus of the genus Candida. Cantilever: A beam that is supported only at one end like a diving board. Carbohydrate: Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen containing biomolecules with a formula of (CH2O)n, that is carbon is hydrated, hence the name. Chemically, it is an aldehyde or ketone derivative of a polyhydric alcohol, particularly of penta- and hexahydric alcohols. The most important carbohydrates are starches, sugars, cellulose, and gums. Carboplatin: Platinum containing anticancer agent. Carboxy-terminal: In proteins the amino acid building blocks are connected forming amide bond between the carboxyl (-COOH) group of the first amino acid and the amino (-NH2) group of the second. The progressing chain of this polypeptide is the carboxy-terminal end. This is shown in the diagram below.  Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA): Glycoprotein molecule secreted in the digestive tract, originally thought to be an antigen in fetal digestive tract and cancerous tumor of the colon. CEA is now known to be present in non-cancerous and varieties of cancerous conditions, including cancers of colon, pancreas, stomach, lung and breast. Carcinogen: Any agent that causes cancer. Carcinogenesis: Development of cancer. Carcinoid syndrome: A constellation of symptoms associated with a serotonin-secreting neoplasm known as carcinoid tumour. These tumors may grow anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract (and in the lungs) with approximately 90% in the appendix. The remainder occurs in the ileum, stomach, colon or rectum. Symptoms include flushing, rapid pulse, facial swelling, swelling around the eyes, low blood pressure, abdominal pain, weight loss and diarrhoea. Carcinoma: A malignant new growth made up of epithelial cells tending to infiltrate the surrounding tissues and give rise to metastasis. Cardiomyopathy: Disease of the heart muscle. Caspases: A large and heterogeneous family of cysteine proteases whose common characteristic is their aptitude to cleave proteins after aspartate (Asp) residue. They are a part of cell signaling pathway and are organized in a cascade hierarchy. Castration: Removal of gonads or their destruction as by radiation. CAT Scan: Computer Aided Tomography. A procedure where X-ray and computers are used to obtain a detailed image of the cross section of any part of the body. Catabolic state: State of destructive metabolic process. Catecholamine: Compounds mimicking the effects of impulses conveyed by sympathetic nerve fibers (sympathomimetic). This includes dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. Catenin: Proteins associated with the cytoplasmic domain of a glycoprotein (uvomorulin) and presumably involved in linking to the cytoskeleton. (alpha catenin 102 kD, beta catenin 88 kD, gamma catenin 80 kD). CD20: Cluster of differentiation (CD) marker protein present on cell surface. CD34+: Cell expressing of Cluster of differentiation (CD) marker protein on their surface. CD4: Cluster of differentiation (CD) marker protein expressed on cell surface. cDNA: Complementary DNA, enzymatically synthesized using an RNA molecule as template. and contains DNA nucleotides. Cell: The unit of life. A dollop of water containing dissolved and suspended materials enclosed by the plasma membrane. The principal components of the cell are shown below.  Cell-mediated (immunity): Immune response that involves effector T lymphocytes and not the production of humoral antibody. Cell cycle: The somatic cell cycle of most eucaryotes is composed of four stages: S phase in which DNA synthesis and chromosome replication occurs; M phase, or mitosis, in which chromosomes segregate and cell division takes place; and "two" gap phases, G1 and G2. G1 is the phase in which cells respond to extracellular signals to commit to another round of DNA replication, or to delay entering the next cell cycle. These are cell cycle check points. Two types of delay have been identified: the delay to enter the S phase from G1, called G1 arrest, and the delay between G2 and M (mitosis), known as G2 arrest. Progression through G1 is dependent on the activity of a family of cyclin dependent kinases (Cdks) that are positively regulated by their association with a class of proteins called cyclins. Inhibition of cyclins by p21 protein causes G1 arrest and termination of DNA synthesis in the S phase. The p53 protein activates the genes for the production of the p21 protein.  Diagramatic representation of cell cycle.Cell Cycle Checkpoint: During the various phases of cell division (the cell cycle) the cell pauses at specific points to detect and evaluate any damage. These pausing points are called checkpoints. If any damage is detected the cell pauses long enough to correct the damage. Two types of delay have been identified: the delay to enter the S phase from G1, called G1 arrest, and the delay between G2 and M, known as G2 arrest. (see above) Cell division: The process of the multiplication of cells in the mitotic phase (M) of cell cycle. The abbreviated steps are shown below.  Central nervous system (CNS): Pertaining to the brain, cranial nerves and spinal cord. It does not include muscles or peripheral nerves. |