Havana, August 26 (RHC/Xinhua) -- Experts at Cuba's Center for Immunoassay have developed a monoclonal antibody to enable the early detection and diagnosis of cystic fibrosis.

The product is to be used in the screening of newborns, Dr. Rebeca Gonzalez, a research specialist with the Center, told the local magazine Bohemia. Dr. Gonzalez noted that it will allow detection of the disease long before the symptoms appear. She said the breakthrough could significantly improve the patient’s quality of life and life expectancy.

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder that affects mostly the lungs, but also the pancreas, liver, kidneys and intestine, and can lead to chronic lung disease and pancreatic insufficiency.

While medical advances in pharmacology and genetics have helped to develop new treatments to mitigate symptoms, there is no cure for the disorder as yet.