rechallenge

1 of 2

noun

re·​chal·​lenge (ˌ)rē-ˈcha-lənj 

plural rechallenges

medical

: a physiological or immunological challenge (see challenge entry 2 sense 4) made subsequent to a previous challenge: such as

a

: the readministration of a drug or other substance suspected of causing a prior adverse reaction in order to determine a definitive link by observing the patient's reaction

the necessity of rechallenge when no suitable alternative exists

b

: the readministration of an antineoplastic agent to a previously treated patient

rechallenge with cisplatin in relapsing ovarian cancer patients

c

: the subsequent transfer of a disease-causing agent (such as a virus or tumor cell) into a living organism and especially an experimental animal following immunotherapy for the purpose of determining robustness of the immunological response

mice rechallenged with respiratory syncytial virus

tumor rechallenge

rechallenge

2 of 2

verb

rechallenged; rechallenging; rechallenges

transitive verb

: to challenge again

But now a new breed of independent store is beginning to rechallenge the chains and discount online retailers.

—Madhusmita Bora

To his great joy he reappeared at the same hour, toward the going down of the sun, and rechallenged Wunzh to a trial of strength.

—Helen A. Clarke

specifically : to readminister a physiological and especially an immunological challenge (see challenge entry 2 sense 4) to (an organism or cell)

When a drug is suspected of causing an adverse but not life-threatening condition, the simplest way to get an answer is to rechallenge the patient with the drug under controlled conditions.

—Abigail Zuger

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1953, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1950, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

rechallenge

noun

re·​chal·​lenge (ˈ)rē-ˈchal-ənj 

: a physiological or immunological challenge made subsequent to a previous challenge: as

a

: the readministration of a drug or other substance suspected of causing a prior adverse reaction in order to determine a definitive link by observing the patient's reaction

b

: the readministration of an antineoplastic agent to a previously treated patient

c

: the subsequent transfer of a disease-causing agent (as a virus or tumor cell) into a living organism and especially an experimental animal following immunotherapy for the purpose of determining robustness of the immunological response

rechallenge transitive verb

rechallenged; rechallenging