OXFORD University scientists believe they could use a virus to target cancer cells.
If further research is successful, they may begin human testing as early as next year.
Scientists used the virus enadenotucirev to target carcinomas, the most common type of cancer, which starts in skin cells and in cells in tissues around internal organs.
Dr Nathan Richardson, head of molecular and cellular medicine at the Medical Research Council (MRC), which was involved in funding the study, said: "Immunotherapy is emerging as an exciting new approach to treating cancers.
"This innovative viral delivery system, which targets both the cancer and surrounding protective tissue, could improve outcomes for patients whose cancers are resistant to current treatments.
"Further clinical studies will be crucial to determine that the stimulation of the patient's immune system does not produce unintended consequences."
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