Monoclonal Antibody (mAb) is a type of protein that is produced in the laboratory by cloning a single type of immune cell that is capable of producing antibodies. It has the ability to bind to specific molecules or cells in the body and trigger an immune response.

mAbs have been used in the health care industry for a variety of purposes, including the treatment of cancer, autoimmune diseases, and infectious diseases. They are used as therapeutics, diagnostic agents, and as research tools.

In cancer treatment, mAbs are used to target specific proteins on cancer cells, which can stop or slow the growth of the tumor. For example, trastuzumab (Herceptin) is a monoclonal antibody that targets the HER2 protein, which is overexpressed in about 25% of breast cancers.

In autoimmune diseases, mAbs are used to target and neutralize cytokines, which are proteins that play a key role in causing inflammation in the body. For example, infliximab (Remicade) is a monoclonal antibody that targets tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF'), which is an important cytokine involved in the development of rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases.

In infectious diseases, mAbs can be used to treat viral infections by neutralizing the virus and preventing it from entering or replicating within cells. For example, palivizumab (Synagis) is a monoclonal antibody that is used to prevent respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections in infants.

Overall, monoclonal antibodies have revolutionized the field of medicine and have provided new treatment options for many diseases.