Biologists have discovered a way to stop cells from one of the most aggressive types of breast cancer spreading in the lab.

The study points towards new avenues of research to combat the devastating disease.

The results of the study of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer by the team from the Universities of Manchester, Glasgow and Sheffield and funded by Breast Cancer Now are published in Oncogene.

Because the cancer does not respond to hormonal therapies or targeted treatments used in other forms of the disease, the search is on for scientists to find other medications.

Around 15% of all breast cancers are Triple Negative, which are more likely to spread beyond the breast and more likely to recur after treatment.

It is more common in younger people, African-American and Hispanic women and people who carry a BRCA1 mutation.

Using cutting edge genetic editing CRISPR technology, the team were able to delete either of two proteins – RUNX2 and CBF beta.

Removing either stopped the cancer from spreading – though the absence of CBF beta seemed to have the more powerful effect.

By putting either of the deleted proteins back into the cells, the cancer started to spread again.