Ulster Unionist peer Lord Maginnis last night gave a cautious welcome to a new drug to treat aggressive prostate cancer which scientists have hailed as potentially the most significant advance in the field for 70 years.

The 70-year-old, who was diagnosed with early stage prostate cancer last year, said any development with the potential to help men fighting the disease had to be welcomed. But he urged against getting too excited about the drug abiraterone until the outcome of further clinical trials were known.

A preliminary trial has shown that abiraterone could potentially treat up to 80% of patients with a deadly form of the disease resistant to currently available chemotherapy.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in Northern Ireland with around 650 cases each year.

Scientists at The Institute of Cancer Research say the drug works by blocking the hormones which fuel the cancer. They hope a simple pill form will be available in two to three years.

Lord Maginness was diagnosed with early stage prostate cancer during a minor procedure with his doctor last December.

The former Fermanagh and South Tyrone MP is currently undergoing treatment. Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, Lord Maginness said he gave news of the drug’s potential powers a cautious welcome.

“Any new treatment has got to be welcomed but we need to be cautious as well. We need to ask questions about exactly who this treatment will benefit and when it could be available,” he said.

“We must, however, mark the little steps towards better treatment rather than get too excited about big jumps,” he added.