New Treatment Hope for Cervical Cancer

British researchers Jo Milner and Ming Jiang from the University of York have found a way to kill cervical cancer cells without harming the surrounding healthy ones or the area around the cervix.

Traditional methods of treating cervical cancer such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy can now be assisted with the finding of British researchers Jo Milner and Ming Jiang from the University of York. They have found a way to kill cervical cancer cells without harming the surrounding healthy ones and damaging the area around the cervix.

Using cancer cells from human tumors in laboratory trials, the researchers have developed a technique known as RNA interface.

RNA interface kills the deadly cells by “silencing” genes in the virus that contribute to the cancer, while allowing the healthy cells to survive unharmed according to research presented in the journal Oncogene.

Medical oncologist Fran Boyle from the Royal North Shore Hospital said the technique was limited by the ability to get the RNA to human cells, however, “it would be good if there was an alternative to losing a part of your body….or damage to the cervix and surrounding areas”.

Source: Sydney Morning Herald, 6 September, 2002 cited on the Cancer Council Australia Website.