monoclonal antibody

American  

noun

Biotechnology.

1. antibody produced by a laboratory-grown cell clone, either of a hybridoma or a virus-transformed lymphocyte, that is more abundant and uniform than natural antibody and is able to bind specifically to a single site on almost any chosen antigen or reveal previously unknown antigen sites: used as an analytic tool in scientific research and medical diagnosis and potentially important in the treatment of certain diseases. MAb

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monoclonal antibody British  

/ ˌmɒnəʊˈkləʊnəl /

noun

1. an antibody, produced by a single clone of cells grown in culture, that is both pure and specific and is capable of proliferating indefinitely to produce unlimited quantities of identical antibodies: used in diagnosis, therapy, and biotechnology

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Etymology

Origin of monoclonal antibody

First recorded in 1970–75

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

monoclonal antibody

The trial of two potential treatments for Bundibugyo began in the DRC on July 2, and is evaluating the effectiveness of the monoclonal antibody MBP134 and the antiviral drug remdesivir, alone and in combination.

From Barron's ● Jul. 9, 2026

“Potrivutig, a monoclonal antibody against BK polyomavirus, addresses genuine unmet need in kidney transplant recipients where no approved targeted therapies exist,” they add.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 1, 2026

Lecanemab, marketed as Leqembi, is a monoclonal antibody treatment for Alzheimer's disease that targets and removes harmful amyloid plaques while slowing cognitive decline.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 17, 2026

Leqembi, known generically as lecanemab, is a monoclonal antibody that works to remove a protein called amyloid from the brain.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 17, 2024

The drug, Pemgarda, is a monoclonal antibody infusion that can be taken as a preventive measure, before people contract the virus.

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 6, 2024

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