# monoclonal

/ˌmɑnəˈkɫoʊnəɫ/ (US) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/monoclonal
Updated: 2026-05-20

## Definition

a type of antibody that is made from a single type of immune cell. These antibodies are very specific and are often used in medicine to treat diseases like cancer.

For teachers: a type of antibody produced by a single clone of plasma cells, resulting in a population of identical immunoglobulins. Often used in the context of targeted therapies for autoimmune disorders and oncology.

## Examples

- The doctor prescribed a monoclonal to treat the patient's chronic condition.
- Researchers are developing a monoclonal that can specifically target the protein responsible for the tumor's growth.
- The clinical trial demonstrated that the monoclonal significantly reduced the size of the lesions without affecting the patient's healthy tissue, marking a major advancement in targeted immunotherapy.

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