A man-made protein that consists of a targeting portion linked to a toxin.
A conjugate formed by attaching a toxic molecule (e.g., ricin) to an agent of the immune system (e.g., a monoclonal antibody), that is specific for the pathogen or tumor to be killed. The immune system-agent portion (of the conjugate) delivers the toxic chemical directly to the specified (disease) site, thus sparing other healthy tissues from the effect of the toxin.
Any medication or poison chemically linked to antibodies, used to target and destroy cells with specific receptors, especially cancerous cells. Immunotoxins have been used to eliminate malignant tumors in the bone marrow.