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M

Major histocompatibility complex

(MHC) = a group of 3 linked genes (MHC I, II and III) that code for cell surface antigens. The MHC antigens are used to determine compatibility of donors and recipient stem cells.

 

*Matched Related Donor (MRD) = in the setting of CML, a stem cell donor whose stem cells match those of the related patient on six out of six (6/6) different antigens.

*MCR = major cytogenetic response (see cytogenetic response).

 

Mcg (or μg) = microgram (1/1,000,000th of a gram) –

a measurement of quantity of, say, drug dose.

 

MCH= Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin or Mean Cell Hemoglobin

(MCH = Hemoglobin x 10/RBC)

 

MCHC = Mean Corpuscular

Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC = Hemoglobin x 100/Hematocrit)

 

Mcl = microliter (or μL)

 

MCV = Mean Corpuscular Volume or Mean Cell Volume (MCV = Hematocrit x 10/RBC) – a measure of red blood cell volume.

 

Mg = milligram – 1/1000th of a gram

 

*Milestones = the time point at which it is considered optimal to reach cytogenetic and molecular parameters during therapy (e.g. CCyR, MMR and CMR based on ELN and NCCN guidelines).

 

*Mini-transplant = non-myeloablative stem cell transplant (mini-transplant) – a type of stem cell transplant in which the patient’s marrow (myelo-) is not destroyed (ablated) prior to the transplant procedure.

 

*Minimal residual disease = a term used mainly in the setting of stem cell transplantation for CML, where bcr-abl is still detectable by PCR, but cytogenetics are negative, or nearly so.

 

MIU, or MU = million units

(in CML treatment, for example, dosages of interferon-alpha are measured in MU).

 

*Molecular remission (or response) = defined as a negative PCR or other negative molecular test.

Dr. Druker prefers to call this

“PCR undetectable, or PCRU”

 

Mono = monocyte; a type of white blood cell.

 

*MPD = myeloproliferative disorder

 

*MR = molecular response, or molecular remission

 

*MMR = major molecular response, or major molecular remission – defined as 0.01 on the IS or as a -3 log reduction.

 

*MRD = Matched Related Donor or Minimum Residual Disease.

MU = Million units.

 

*MUD = Matched Unrelated Donor (see matched related donor).

 

Mutation = in the context of CML, it means that there are additional changes in the genes creating additional mutations, not just the bcr-abl mutation.

 

*Myelofibrosis = replacement of blood stem cells in the bone marrow with fibrous tissue. Myelofibrosis occurs as a complication of CML and of its treatments, especially interferon.

 

*Myeloid = of or related to the bone marrow

 

*Myeloproliferative disorder (MPD) = a family of diseases involving the over production of one or another marrow cell types. CML is a myeloproliferative disorder.