| immunotoxin | <immunology> Any toxin that is conjugated to either an immunoglobulin or Fab fragment directed against a specified antigen. Thus if the antigen is borne by a particular type of cell, such as a tumour cell, the toxin may be targetted at the specified cell by the immunological reaction. (18 Nov 1997) |
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| immunotoxins | Semisynthetic conjugates of various toxic molecules, including radioactive isotopes and bacterial or plant toxins, with specific immune substances such as immunoglobulins, monoclonal antibodies, and antigens. The antitumour or antiviral immune substance carries the toxin to the tumour or infected cell where the toxin exerts its poisonous effect. (12 Dec 1998) |