The spread of cancer around the body has been cut by 75 per cent in animal experiments, according to scientists in Cambridge.

The cause of 90 per cent of all cancer deaths is as a result of tumours spreading to other areas in the body.

Published in Nature, the mice study has shown that altering the immune system significantly slowed the spread of skin cancers to the lungs.

A team of researchers at the Sanger Institute in Cambridge were attempting to find out what caused tumour spread in the body and have found 23 sections of DNA that make it easier or harder for the disease to spread.

One of the team, Dr David Adams, said they had learned some "interesting new biology" that they might be able to use in humans.

He told the BBC News website: "It's told us this gene is involved in tumour growth."

Dr Justine Alford, from Cancer Research UK, said: "This study in mice gives a new insight into the genes that play a role in cancer spreading and may highlight a potential way to treat cancer in the future.

"Cancer that has spread is tough to treat, so research such as this is vital in the search for ways to tackle this process."