Glossary
Monoclonal antibody
(MAH-noh-KLOH-nul AN-tee-BAH-dee)
A type of protein that is made in the laboratory and can bind to certain targets in the body, such as antigens on the surface of cancer cells. There are many kinds of monoclonal antibodies, and each monoclonal antibody is made so that it binds to only one antigen. Monoclonal antibodies are being used in the diagnosis and treatment of many diseases, including some types of cancer. They can be used alone or to carry drugs, toxins, or radioactive substances directly to cancer cells.
Definition from the National Cancer Institute’s NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms.