curative

Curative is an adjective used to describe something capable of curing a disease or condition, resulting in complete resolution rather than mere management. Etymology traces to Latin curare, "to care for" or "to heal."

In medicine, curative interventions aim to remove disease or restore health to a state free of pathology. Examples include surgical removal of malignant tumors, antibiotic therapy for bacterial infections, and certain curative radiotherapy or chemotherapy regimens. The term is often used in treatment planning as "curative intent" when a patient's goal is cure rather than palliation or control. However, the success and durability of a cure vary by disease, stage, and patient factors.

In clinical research and pharmacology, "curative" describes therapies with the potential to eliminate disease or achieve long-term remission without ongoing treatment. The concept of cure is complex; in many areas, durable remission for a defined period is used as a surrogate for cure, and guidelines may specify criteria for declaring a cure.

Beyond medicine, curative can describe remedies or measures that heal or rectify problems, such as policies or procedures designed to cure defects in systems, laws, or processes. In legal and administrative contexts, "curative" denotes actions intended to remedy procedural deficiencies (curative provisions, curative amendments).

As a proper noun, Curative is used as a brand name by various organizations, most notably in the healthcare sector for companies operating diagnostic or therapeutic services. This article covers the term in general; for a specific organization named Curative, consult its dedicated article. See also cure, curative care, and cure rates.