Researchers gave mice an amino group chemical, called 37AA and found that the chemical significantly slowed the growth of the tumors.
Researchers suggested that sending it directly into the bloodstream using a nanoparticle delivery system could be a potential way to find and kill tumor cells that have spread as well as those in the primary tumor.
Study leader Dr Kevin Ryan, a Cancer Research UK scientist, said: "Our study has shown for the first time that the selective activation of a gene called p73 can cause cell death in tumors."
"We think this approach has the potential to be developed into an effective treatment for cancer," Dr Ryan further said.
