Singapore: Taiwan's premier research institution, Academia Sinica has developed a new material (Q2-3) that can arrest the spread of breast cancer cells. As per reports, Q2-3 prevents the spread of cancer cells after the main tumor has been removed.

The research report, published in the "Nature Communications" elaborated that Q2-3 is made of plant extracts and performed very effectively in initial lab test with mice. The team said that the material stimulates the generation of IL-25, which represses the growth of tumors and arrests its spread from one organ to another.

As per reports, breast cancer has become one of the most serious health issues among women worldwide. American Cancer Society points out that about 12 percent of women in the US develop breast cancer during their lifetime.

Many patients die even after the removal of tumur as there is a high chance the cancer cells will spread to other parts of the body. The Taiwanese health ministry announced that the number of people dying due to breast cancer has increased by more than 50 percent in the last ten years.

Mr Kuo Yueh-hsiung, lecturing professor at the Department of Chinese Pharmaceutical Sciences and Chinese Medicine Resources of the China Medical University, told the media that Q2-3 has no side effects and even helps alleviate the pain that chemotherapy brings. Additionally, the cost of making Q2-3 is very low.

Researchers said that further tests will be conducted to check the effectiveness of the compound on other type of cancers. After testing on humans, the drug is expected to be launched within six to 12 years.