SHARK BLOOD ANTIBODY 'COULD HELP FIGHT BREAST CANCER'

The shark’s blood antibody could prevent cancer cells from growing (Picture: Daily Mail)

An antibody found only in the blood of sharks may help tackle breast cancer, researchers believe.

The protein could prevent cancer cells from growing and dividing in humans, scientists say.

A team from Aberdeen university has been awarded £200,000 to research the antibody, called IgNAR.

‘This is only the first step in a very long process,’ said Dr Helen Dooley from the university’s school of biological sciences.

‘But if our hypothesis holds true we hope to develop new anti-cancer drugs.’

She added: ‘IgNAR antibodies bind to targets, such as viruses or parasites, in a very different way to antibodies found in humans.

‘They can fit into spaces that human antibodies cannot.’

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK but more than 75 out of every 100 people diagnosed live for at least ten years.

Source: Metro.co.uk