Australian researchers 'cure' cervical cancer in mice in world-first study

Australian researchers have claimed a "cure" for cervical cancer after targeting tumours in mice in a world first study.

Griffith University researchers made the breakthrough using new gene editing technology.

"This is the first cure for any cancer using this technology,'' said lead researcher Professor Nigel McMillan.

The scientists used a type of DNA sequence called CRISPR-Cas9 to successfully target and treat cervical cancer tumours in mice, using "stealth" nanoparticles.

"The nanoparticles search out the cancer-causing gene in cancer cells and 'edit it', by introducing some extra DNA that causes the gene to be misread and stop being made,'' Professor McMillan said.

"This is like adding a few extra letters into a word, so the spell checker doesn't recognise it anymore."

Because the cancer must have this gene to produce, once edited, the cancer dies.

"In our study, the treated mice have 100 per cent survival and no tumours," Professor McMillan said.

"The mice showed no other clinical signs such as inflammation from treatment but there may be other gene changes we haven't measured yet.

"Other cancers can be treated once we know the right genes."

Nearly all cervical cancers are caused by a human papillomavirus infection (HPV), with more than 250 women in Australia dying from the disease each year, according to Cancer Australia.

The Griffith University scientists are working towards human trials of the gene therapy in the next five years. 

The study is published in Molecular Therapy.