A MAJOR breakthrough in cancer treatment has been made by Hampshire scientists.

The new research will save lives and improve the quality of life for millions of people suffering from blood cancer.

The scientists discovered the reason why an experimental new drug, currently being used in clinical trials, is five times more effective at fighting non-Hodgkins lymphoma than current treatments.

Medical bosses said the study by the University of Southampton School of Medicine will be a key step in developing treatments and understanding the disease.

Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research clinical information officer Ken Campbell said: “It is all very well to know that a particular form of treatment is more effective than another but without knowing why, there is only so far you can go.

“This new research could make it possible for the drugs to be improved still further and have lots of other applications in treating blood cancer.

“This is a major step in developing new and more effective treatments, it is fantastic news.”

The research showed the difference in the way type I monoclonal antibodies and new type II monoclonal antibodies “lock on” to cancer cells.

Mr Campbell said the research showed type two was more effective saying it was like “two stealth fighters, one that radios ahead so the enemy troops can run off and hide and one that turns up with no warning.”

The research was carried out by Dr Mark Cragg and his team.

Dr Cragg said: “We now know why these new type II drugs are more effective and last longer in the body than current drugs. This strengthens the case for developing more type II monoclonal antibodies in the future.”

The results of the research, which was funded by the charity Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research, are published online in the prestigious medical journal Blood.

The charity currently has £3.7m invested in blood cancer research in Southampton.