immunotoxin

immunotoxin
im·mu·no·tox·in 'im-yə-nō-.täk-sən, im-'yü-nō- n a toxin that is linked to a monoclonal antibody and that is delivered to only those cells (as cancer cells) bearing the antigen targeted by the monoclonal antibody to which it is linked

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n.
one of a new class of drugs undergoing clinical trials for the treatment of leukaemia. Immunotoxins combine monoclonal antibody, which can specifically target cancerous cells, with a highly toxic compound (such as ricin) that inactivates the cells' ribosome and thus inhibits protein synthesis. Because the toxin does not attack the whole cell only tiny amounts are required.

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im·mu·no·tox·in (imґu-no-tok″sin) a hybrid molecule formed by coupling an entire toxin or the A chain of a toxin to an antibody or antigen molecule; the resulting molecule has the specificity of the antibody or antigen and the toxicity of the toxin.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Immunotoxin — An immunotoxin is a chemical that can cause immune system malfunction with exposure. When the immune system function is suppressed (immunosuppression) there is an increased susceptibility to infectious diseases and cancers. Polychlorinated… …   Wikipedia

  • immunotoxin — (im u no tok sin) A monoclonal antibody that has been attached to a specific toxin or toxic agent (antibody 1 toxin 5 immunotoxin) and can kill specific target cells …   Dictionary of microbiology

  • immunotoxin — /im yeuh noh tok sin, i myooh /, n. Immunol. a monoclonal antibody linked to a toxin with the intention of destroying a specific target cell while leaving adjacent cells intact. [IMMUNO + TOXIN] * * * …   Universalium

  • immunotoxin — noun Any compound that is toxic to the immune system See Also: immunotoxicity …   Wiktionary

  • immunotoxin — n. one of a class of compounds undergoing clinical trials for the treatment of certain cancers. Therapeutic immunotoxins combine monoclonal antibodies, which can specifically target cancerous cells, with a highly toxic compound (such as ricin)… …   The new mediacal dictionary

  • immunotoxin — im•mu•no•tox•in [[t]ˌɪm yə noʊˈtɒk sɪn, ɪˌmyu [/t]] n. imu a monoclonal antibody linked to a toxin with the intention of destroying a specific target cell while leaving adjacent cells intact • Etymology: 1985–90 …   From formal English to slang

  • immunotoxin — Protein drugs consisting of an antibody joined to a toxin molecule. Made by either chemically linking the molecules, or by fusing the genes for the toxin and the antibody, and expressing a fusion protein. The antibody portion of the molecule… …   Glossary of Biotechnology

  • immunotoxin — An antibody linked to a toxic substance. Some immunotoxins can bind to cancer cells and kill them …   English dictionary of cancer terms

  • immunotoxin — /im yeuh noh tok sin, i myooh /, n. Immunol. a monoclonal antibody linked to a toxin with the intention of destroying a specific target cell while leaving adjacent cells intact. [IMMUNO + TOXIN] * * * immunotoxˈin noun A toxin with… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Anti-CD19 immunotoxin — is a monoclonal antibody linked to a toxic substance. It is being studied in the treatment of some types of B cell cancer. Anti CD19 immunotoxin is made in the laboratory. It binds to CD19, a protein on the surface of normal B cells and B cell… …   Wikipedia

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