Scientists Target Tumours With Magic Bullet Antibodies

A new cancer therapy which uses ultra-violet light to turn the cells of the body's own immune system into "ultra-specific magic bullets" for attacking tumours is revealed today by British scientists. The team from Newcastle University have found a way of preventing antibodies from prompting a reaction until they are next to the tumour and can be activated by shining a light probe on to the appropriate area of the body. The technique has been tested successfully on mice with ovarian cancer and Professor Colin Self, who led the research team, hopes to start clinical trials in patients next year. The treatment has already taken 11 years to develop and it could be another decade before it is available as a matter o...