Archives: Glossary

The lead researcher responsible for the overall project. The CIA usually takes primary responsibility for the research plan, team coordination, reporting, budget oversight and communication with the funding body.

Other named Chief Investigators who make substantial intellectual, scientific or clinical contributions to the project. The letter usually indicates their order in the investigator team rather than a separate type of role.

A researcher, clinician, professional or partner who contributes expertise, advice or support to a particular part of the project. Associate Investigators usually report to, or work under the direction of, the Chief Investigators and may not have the same level of responsibility as a Chief Investigator.

A group of people who provide advice and feedback to guide a research project or program. An advisory group may include researchers, clinicians, health professionals, policy makers and people with lived experience.

The organisation that receives and manages the grant funding on behalf of the research team. It is usually responsible for contracts, financial administration, reporting and making sure the project complies with funding requirements.

An undesired effect of a drug or other type of treatment. Adverse events can range from mild to severe and can be life-threatening. Also called adverse effect and adverse reaction (see side effect). A specific type of AEs are immune-related adverse events (irAEs), these are specific side effects that arise after being treated with immunotherapy.

The time in a person’s life from the diagnosis of disease (e.g. cancer) until death. The study of survivorship evaluates a person’s quality of life, physically, mentally, and spiritually and tries to understand challenges and opportunities.

A substance which stimulates the immune system to respond to a threat, such as bacteria, viruses or cancer. A vaccine is a safe way to protect the body from these threats and prepare your immune system so it can respond quickly if you encounter that threat in the future. There are different types of vaccines […]

An effect of a treatment or medical intervention that is in addition to, or beyond, its desired effect. Side effects can be harmful or beneficial, and most go away on their own over time. Others may last past treatment or appear long after treatment has ended (known as late effects). Long term side effects from […]

Stage of cancer refers to the extent of your cancer, including the size and if/how much it has spread. It is important information for your treatment planning and to understand how serious your cancer is. The stage of a cancer can be determined by a variety of tests, including imaging (X-Ray, PET etc.). There are […]