Further, the drug Herceptin, which is used to treat HER2-positive breast cancer, was found to target and destroy the cancer stem cells.

Scientists have discovered a breast cancer gene 30% to 40% of all breast cancers need to survive, offering what could be the biggest gene target yet for "smart bombs" to treat such tumours.

By blocking these cytokine signals, researchers hope that they can successfully target the cancer stem cell population providing a more effective treatment for breast cancer.