Shark blood hunts down breast cancer

SHARK blood could offer a novel new treatment for breast cancer. The University of Aberdeen is undertaking a three-year study to examine whether antibodies in the blood can stop cancer cells growing.

Around 20% to 25% of breast cancer tumours are human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) positive. This gene makes cells grow and divide in an uncontrolled way. Antibodies in shark blood are thought to bind to HER2 molecules, stopping them from working.

The researchers hope this could help patients who become resistant to drugs such as Herceptin, which acts on HER2.