A group of scientists have discovered a “more elegant chemotherapy” that can accurately target cancerous cells in a first in the battle against the disease.
The research successfully killed cancerous cells while leaving healthy ones around it using a technique which relies on DNA editing tools.
The technology has already been used in mice and could be used on humans as soon as within the next two years, the scientists said.
“This technology can extend the life expectancy of cancer patients and we hope, one day, cure the disease.”
The study by scientists from Tel Aviv University, New York University and Harvard Medical School was published in the journal Science Advances.
The scientists claim that it is the first time in the world that Crispr genome editing technology, which works by cutting out a section of DNA, has been effectively used to treat cancer in an animal.
Professor Peer explained that if this technology is used then within three treatments “we can destroy a tumour” as it can “physically cut the DNA in cancerous cells, and those cells will not survive.”
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