Monoclonal antibodies are substances produced in a lab that attach
to certain proteins in the body (like a key in a lock). The antibodies can
boost your body's natural defenses against disease or can be used to kill
cancer cells or slow the progress of a disease.
Monoclonal antibodies are given through an intravenous (IV)
injection. The antibodies can be used alone, or they can be used to deliver
medicine or radiation directly to cancer cells to treat diseases such as
leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Also, monoclonal antibodies can slow the
progress of a disease by stopping biological processes such as inflammation in
rheumatoid arthritis.