antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity
(AN-tee-BAH-dee-deh-PEN-dent sel-MEE-dee-AY-ted SY-toh-tok-SIH-sih-tee)
A type of immune reaction in which a target cell or microbe is coated with antibodies and killed by certain types of white blood cells. The white blood cells bind to the antibodies and release substances that kill the target cells or microbes. Also called ADCC and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity.