Antibody may be used to treat cancer of the blood

An antibody may be used to treat multiple myeloma

Scientists have found that a specific antibody could be used for the treatment of multiple myeloma or cancer of the blood.

The study, from Lund University in Sweden, explained how the antibody BI-505 has been shown to have a "powerful effect" on tumour cells in both animal and cell studies.

An initial safety study has also been carried out on seriously ill patients, with researcher Markus Hansson explaining that new test will include patients who just been diagnosed with the disease.

"We want to test the antibody treatment before the patients are treated with other drugs," he said.

There is currently no cure for multiple myeloma, but it is hoped that if these tests prove successful, the researchers would go on to study the best way of using BI-505 - alone or as part of a combination treatment and at the beginning of the disease or a later stage.

Myeloma occurs when a specific type of cell in the bone marrow is converted into tumour cells, putting patients at risk of fractures and compacted vertebrae, as well as kidney failure.