Cancer Biology Vocabulary

noun a type of small protein that is important in cell signaling, especially in the immune system

• The researchers studied the role of cytokines in the immune response.
• Cytokines are like messengers that tell your immune system what to do.
• Some people call cytokines the 'traffic directors' of the immune system.
• In the battle against infection, cytokines are the generals leading the troops.

noun Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is a retrovirus that infects T-cells and can lead to various diseases.

adjective HTLV-1 is used as an adjective to describe the specific type of virus.

• HTLV-1 is a retrovirus that can cause a type of leukemia known as adult T-cell leukemia.
• Have you heard of HTLV-1? It's a virus that can lead to a type of cancer called adult T-cell leukemia.
• HTLV-1 is no joke, it can mess with your immune system and cause some serious health problems.
• HTLV-1 is like a silent intruder in the body, slowly causing damage without being noticed until it's too late.

noun a combining form meaning gland, glandular, as in adenovirus

• Adenoviruses are a group of viruses that can infect the respiratory tract.
• I heard that adeno is going around the office, so make sure to wash your hands frequently.
• My sister caught adeno and has been feeling under the weather for a few days.
• The spread of misinformation online is like a viral adeno, infecting people's minds with false information.