PsychologyAugust 11, 2026

oncolytic

ONG-koh-LI-tik

Definition

Refers to a virus that has the ability to infect, replicate within, and destroy cancer cells.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek 'onkos' meaning 'mass' or 'tumor' and 'lysis' meaning 'a loosening' or 'dissolution'. The term combines these roots to describe an agent that causes the breakdown of tumors.

In the news

The article uses the term to describe a new melanoma drug based on a modified herpes virus. It highlights the drug's specialized function of killing cancer cells while leaving healthy ones largely unaffected.

New melanoma drug based on herpes virus granted FDA accelerated approval

Read the full article ↗

Medical Xpress

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