monoclonal

1 of 2

adjective

mono·​clo·​nal ˌmä-nə-ˈklō-nᵊl 

: produced by, being, composed of, or caused by cells derived from a single cell

… Dr. [Lawrence] Kaplan said tumors that were monoclonal, arising from a single malignant cell, indicated poor survival.

—Marilyn Chase

especially : relating to, being, or caused by a monoclonal antibody or monoclonal antibodies

monoclonal assays

see also monoclonal gammopathy

monoclonal

2 of 2

noun

plural monoclonals

: monoclonal antibody

But now researchers say that new ways of modifying antibodies promise to deliver monoclonals in more effective forms, with fewer side effects and at lower cost.

—Lawrence M. Fisher

Examples of monoclonal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

As with many monoclonal antibodies, CAB-I47 makes contact with the receptor-binding domain to block binding to the human ACE2 receptor. —William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2023

Evusheld is a combination of two monoclonal antibodies: tixagevimab and cilgavimab. —Carla Delgado, Verywell Health, 8 Feb. 2023

Noun

Pfizer plans to charge $295 for its shot, and Sanofi sells the monoclonal immunization for $495. —Kyle Orland, Ars Technica, 22 Sep. 2023

Newsletters Sign up for Daily Recap A roundup of our top stories of the day in health and medicine The CDC’s statement said availability of the monoclonal product, whose scientific name is nirsevimab, is also playing into the current shortage. —Helen Branswell, STAT, 24 Oct. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1914, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1980, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing monoclonal

• monoclonal antibody
• monoclonal gammopathy

Medical Definition

monoclonal

1 of 2 adjective

mono·​clo·​nal ˌmän-ə-ˈklōn-ᵊl 

: produced by, being, or composed of cells derived from a single cell

a monoclonal tumor

especially : relating to or being an antibody derived from a single cell in large quantities for use against a specific antigen (as a cancer cell)

monoclonal

2 of 2 noun

: a monoclonal antibody