Written by Brenton Wight, Health Researcher, LeanMachine
Copyright [c] 1999-[y] Brenton Wight. All Rights Reserved.
This is a free, not-for-profit site, existing only to help everyone improve or regain health.
Articles on this site represent 15 years of research, including many articles by well-respected authors.
Updated: 15th January 2025

Glossary of Medical Abbreviations

AKT: protein kinase B (PKB or Akt)
ALA: alpha-linolenic acid
AMPK: adenosine monophosphate-activated kinase
ARG-1: arginase 1
BRACA1: breast cancer gene 1
BAX/BAK: members of the Bcl-2 family of apoptotic proteins
CCR6: chemokine receptor 6
CSC: cancer stem cells
CI: confidence interval
CGM: continuous glucose monitor
COX: cyclooxygenase
DC: dendritic cell
FOXO1: Forkhead Box O1
EGFR: epidermal growth factor
EGCG: epigallocatechin gallate
ERKs: extracellular-signal-regulated kinases
FGF: fibroblast growth factor
GI: glycemic index
GTCs: green tea catechins
GDH: glutamate dehydrogenase
HDL: high density lipoprotein
HIF: hypoxia inducible factor
HR: hazard ratio
HK2- hexokinase-2
HSP: heat shock protein
Hh: Hedgehog pathway
HER2: human epidermal growth factor receptor 2
IGF-1: Insulin-like growth factor 1
IκBα: inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B
INF: interferon
in vitro: performed in a test tube or culture dish
in vivo: performed in a living organism
GH: growth hormone
IL: interleukin
JAK2: Janus kinase 2
JNK: c-Jun N-terminal kinase
MAPK: mitogen-activated protein kinase
MAMs: metastasis-associated macrophages
MDSC: Myeloid-derived suppressor cells
MMPs: matrix metalloproteinases
mTOR: mammalian target of rapamycin
NF-ΚB: nuclear factor Kappa beta
NOS: nitric oxide synthase
NK cells: natural killer cells
NSAID: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug
Nrf2: nuclear factor E2–related factor 2
OR: odds ratio
PDE5 inhibitor: phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors
PD-1/PD-1L: Programmed cell death protein 1/ligand
PI3K: phosphoinositide 3-kinase signaling pathway
PGE2: prostaglandin E2
RCT: randomized controlled trial
REM: rapid eye movement
ROS: reactive oxygen species
ReDO: Repurposing Drugs in Oncology
RFS: recurrence-free survival
RR: relative risk
STAT3: signal transducer and activator of transcription 3
TAM: Tumor-associated macrophages
TGF: transforming growth factor
TG: triglyceride
TME: tumor microenvironment
TCR: T cell receptor
TLR: Toll like-receptor
TCGA: The Cancer Genome Atlas Program
TNF: tumor necrosis factor
TRAIL: tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand
Tregs: T-regulatory cells
USPSTF: U.S. Preventive Services Taskforce
UV: ultraviolet
VDAC: voltage-dependent anion channel
VCAM1: vascular cell adhesion molecule 1
VEGF: vascular endothelial growth factor
WNT: WNT signaling pathway NAD: nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide