anti-idiotype

noun

an·​ti-id·​io·​type ˌan-tē-ˈi-dē-ə-ˌtīp  ˌan-tī- 

: an antibody that binds to the antigen-combining site of another antibody either suppressing or enhancing the immune response

anti-idiotypic

ˌan-tē-ˌi-dē-ə-ˈti-pik 

ˌan-tī-

adjective

Word History

First Known Use

1973, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

anti-idiotype

noun

an·​ti-id·​io·​type

ˌan-tī-ˈid-ē-ə-ˌtīp

: an antibody that binds to the antigen combining site of another antibody either suppressing or enhancing the immune response

Anti-idiotypes are secondary antibodies manufactured by the immune system in reaction to the presence of antibodies, the body's basic germ fighters.

—Craig D. Rose, The San Diego Union-Tribune

anti-idiotype adjective

or anti-idiotypic

-ˌid-ē-ə-ˈtip-ik 

Recent studies … indicate, however, that other cancer cells expressing a different idiotype can emerge during anti-idiotype treatment.

—Ronald C. Kennedy et al., Scientific American

Anti-idiotypic antibodies that bind to the idiotype marker (antigen-binding site) on B cells, may also suppress autoantibody production.

—Jacqueline Parkin and Bryony Cohen, The Lancet