SCIENTISTS MOLD CANCER WEAPON.(MAIN)

Byline: NATALIE ANGIER New York Times

After years of hopes raised and hopes dashed that a magic bullet against cancer could ever be invented, scientists have reported an impressive advance in using a sort of molecular sharpshooter to destroy tumor cells.

In the new research, scientists have designed so-called monoclonal antibodies that seem to be considerably more effective in wiping out cancer than were previous attempts to target malignant tissue with antibody proteins. But the latest results have only been seen in rodents, and even if the new approach proves valid, much work must be done before the technique can be used on patients.

Nevertheless, scientists familiar with the …