"Our research shows not only can we stop cervical cancer cells from growing in the test tube, but we can also completely eliminate the formation of cancer tumours in animal models," Dr Nigel McMillan, of the University of Queensland's Centre for Immunology and Cancer Research (CICR), said.

This breakthrough is a step towards the development of gene therapy for cervical cancer, the leading cause of cancer death in women aged 25-50 worldwide. By targeting genes E6 and E7 in the human papilloma virus which causes cervical cancer, this method may offer a viable alternative without the side effects of current treaments being used such as hair loss and nausea following radiation and chemotherapy. In advanced cases of cervical cancer, this gene silencing method also enhances chemotherapy, increasing effectivity by up to four times.

The researchers are preparing for clinical trials and approximate that a treatment using this technique is at least three years away.