Definition: A antibody is part of your immune system. It is a tiny biochemical particle produced by specialized immune system cells called b-cells. B-cells are produced by the bone marrow. When they encounter a foreign substance (e.g. bacteria), they produce antibodies that help attack the specific areas called "antigens" on the foreign substance the b-cell encountered. In this manner, antibodies can also help attack some antigenic parts of cancer cells. Cancer cells are abnormal, but are produced by your own body (as opposed to an invading bacterium). This limits the ability of your immune system to fight cancer, but this is a hot area of research.
Pronunciation: AN-tea-body
Alternate Spellings: anti-body antibodies
Common Misspellings: anybody anibody antebody
Examples: Despite decades of research, there are few antibodies which are very effective against ovarian cancer because most of the cancer cell surface antigens are not recognized as being foreign to your body.
