A Canadian PhD student has made a potentially important discovery that may have the potential to prevent cancer cells from spreading.

Caitlyn Miron of Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario has identified a chemical compound that may be able to "switch off" cancer cells in order to stop them from spreading.  The compound, which she describes as a "superglue", binds to four-stranded DNA structure - known as guanine quadruplex - which has been linked to the development of cancer and other diseases.

"It's really exciting.  It's exciting to be on the forefront of this field," said Ms. Miron.  "There are other quadruplex binders out there, but what we're seeing is that ours is very high-performing."

The Canadian government has granted a provisional patent for the compound discovered, and the US National Cancer Institute in Rockville, Maryland is running a research program based on the discovery.  Miron projects it will take another five to eight years before the compound is developed enough for it to be used commercially.  Depending on its final structure, it could be administered intravenously or perhaps orally.

"Like chemo with less side effects," she said, "That's the goal."