RET inhibitor
RET inhibitor
RET inhibitor (pronunciation: /rɛt ɪnˈhɪbɪtər/) is a type of pharmaceutical drug that is designed to inhibit the activity of the RET proto-oncogene, a gene that can cause cancer when it is mutated or overexpressed.
Etymology
The term "RET" is an acronym for "Rearranged during Transfection", which refers to the process by which the gene was first discovered. The term "inhibitor" comes from the Latin word "inhibere", which means "to hold back".
Mechanism of Action
RET inhibitors work by binding to the RET protein and preventing it from activating. This can stop the growth of cancer cells that rely on the RET protein for survival and proliferation. Some RET inhibitors are small molecules that can be taken orally, while others are monoclonal antibodies that are administered intravenously.
Related Terms
- RET proto-oncogene: The gene that RET inhibitors target. Mutations in this gene can lead to various types of cancer, including medullary thyroid cancer and lung cancer.
- Oncogene: A gene that has the potential to cause cancer. The RET proto-oncogene is one example.
- Pharmaceutical drug: A chemical substance used to treat, cure, prevent, or diagnose a disease.
- Monoclonal antibody: A type of protein made in the lab that can bind to substances in the body, including cancer cells.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on RET inhibitor
- Wikipedia's article - RET inhibitor
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