A team of 15 people is working on the cancer bio-catalyst

The team of 15 at Exeter University and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital are developing bio-catalysts which can cause cancer cells to destroy themselves.

If the idea can be successfully developed, it is hoped patients might eventually be offered an alternative to chemotherapy and radiotherapy with fewer side effects.

Although clinical trials are still some way off, the team believes it is a promising new direction for anti-cancer research and treatment.

This new approach might allow us to single out sick cells and kill them Dr Claus Jacob

The research, which has been ongoing for about four years, is being undertaken by groups headed by Dr Claus Jacob of Exeter University and Dr Nicholas Gutowski at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.

Dr Jacob, of the university's School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, described the research as "pretty unique, pioneering".

Targeted drugs

He said: "It is in its very early stages, but if it works it will be very important."

The catalysts work by initiating reactions inside the cancer cell that cause it to destroy itself.

Dr Jacob said: "In effect, the cancer commits suicide.

"One of the benefits of this approach is that the drugs target only the diseased cells."

This means they are far more targeted than conventional drugs.

Clinical trials

Also, only minute quantities of bio-catalysts are needed to kill cancer cells, making them highly efficient.

Dr Jacob said: "Cancer therapy has long been based on highly toxic substances that randomly kill healthy and sick cells alike.

"This new approach might allow us to single out sick cells and kill them with a catalytic efficiency far superior to conventional radiation or chemotherapy.