Cancer-stricken football legend Jim Stynes is trying a drug that destroys only cancer cells and not healthy cells, the first person in Australia to do so.

Stynes, 45, is receiving fortnightly infusions of Ipilimumab for melanoma, a type of skin cancer. The drug developed by Bristol-Myers-Squibb and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in March works by stimulating the immune system against cancer.

Oncologist Grant McArthur said Stynes was picked first to use the drug because of his tenacity after a gruelling range of treatments and surgery, according to Herald Sun. The drug will be tried in other patients next year.

McArthur said a side effect of the drug is overactivation of the immune system. But Stynes is taking the risk hoping to cure his illness diagnosed three years ago.

The cancer started as a tumour in his back in 2009 and spread to other parts of his body, including his brain. The condition forced him to take a leave as president of the Melbourne Football Club.

In April last year, he underwent operation to remove tumours from his brain.

The cancer has turned Stynes' relationship with wife Sam for the better. He admitted they used to fight like cats and dogs at times, according to Theage.com.

He has a daughter Matisse and son Tiernan with Sam.

Jim Stynes