Soon, drug that can kill pancreatic cancer in just one week

A team of researchers has discovered a treatment for pancreatic cancer, claiming that it can wipe out the disease in less than six days.

The Cambridge university team will be testing the new drug, which targets pancreatic cancer but could be effective at treating other kinds of tumors as well, later this year, Metro.co.uk reported.

According to lead author Dr Douglas Fearon, by enabling the body to use its own defenses to attack cancer, this approach has the potential to greatly improve treatment of solid tumors.

The Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute researchers believe their new drug, known as AMD3100 or Plerixafor, could work even with late diagnoses.

It breaks down a thick wall of chemokine protein which forms a protective barrier around pancreatic cancer cells and prevents the body's T cells from breaking through to attack the tumor.

While human trials are expected to start later this year, the researchers tested the drug on mice and found that virtually all tumors were wiped out within six days.