A study showed on Monday that US researchers have traced an antibody called F77 helpful in hunting down prostate cancer cells in mice. The antibody can destroy the disease at advanced stages also.

The study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science (PNAS), said the antibody had the capability of bonding with cancerous prostate tissues and cells more than not so dangerous tissue and cells. F77 also initiates the death of cancerous tissue.

F77 when injected in mice acknowledged even androgen-independent cancer cells that are present when prostate cancer is incurable, study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania showed.

The shortcoming of this antibody is that it did not target normal tissue, or tumor tissues in other parts of the body.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men. It claims half a million lives each year worldwide.

Dr Sarah Cant, head of policy and campaigns at The Prostate Cancer Charity, said, “It was potentially significant that F77 could be used to treat early and late stages of the illness. But more research was needed.”