Scientists discover 'cure' for cervical cancer after gene-editing breakthrough

Professor Nigel McMillan, right, said it's the first cancer cure using this technology, and revealed the mice treated had a 100 per cent survival rate. Photo / Griffith University

Australian scientists believe they have found a cure for cervical cancer thanks to a breakthrough in gene-editing technology.

Researchers from Griffith University in Queensland have been able to use the gene-editing technology to target and remove cervical cancer tumours in mice using "stealth" nanoparticles.

The mice treated using the gene-editing technology had a 100 per cent survival rate, raising hopes for women with cervical cancer, ABC reported.

According to scientists, the gene-editing technology, known as CRISPER-Cas9, is injected into the patient's bloodstream.

The nanoparticles then search for the cancer-causing gene and cut the gene in half.

When the cell repairs the gene with extra DNA, the cell doesn't recognise the cancerous cells and regrows with healthy components.

Professor Nigel McMillan compared the breakthrough to being like a spell-checker.

"This is like adding a few extra letters into a word so the spell checker doesn't recognise it anymore. The cancer must have this gene to produce, once edited, the cancer dies.

"We looked for lots of markers, inflammation and damage, but they were perfectly fine, so this is very exciting."

The study was published in Molecular Therapy.

McMillan says while there are still many steps to go through, he has applied for a grant to begin human trials within five years.

Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the cells of the cervix — the lower part of the uterus.

You can reduce your risk of developing cervical cancer by having screening tests and receiving a vaccine that protects against HPV infection.