A GEL being developed to treat early-stage cervical cancer could mean surgery is a thing of the past, it was revealed yesterday.

If the gel is applied directly to the cervix, it can block proteins that grow and can turn cells cancerous.

The gel has been proven to trigger cell "suicide" in culture samples and it is hoped clinical trials will be carried out in the UK soon, according the New Scientist.

The story first broke two years ago when a team at York University succeeded in killing human cervical cancer cells without damaging healthy cells.

After further research, Professor Jo Milner is more hopeful that the dream of a quick-fix treatment for that type of cancer can soon be a reality.

Cervical cancer kills almost a quarter of a million women worldwide each year.

It is caused by a common sexually transmitted virus, the human papilloma virus (HPV).

Occasionally, viral DNA inserts itself into the genome of cells on the cervix's surface, boosting the production of proteins that prevent cell death and can turn cells cancerous.

Research groups have shown that, if production of these proteins are blocked, cervical cancer cells self destruct while normal cells are unharmed.

RNA (ribonucleic acid) can be used to trigger an ancient natural defence mechanism against viruses and stop the proteins.

It cannot be used conventionally because it is destroyed within minutes of being injected into the bloodstream but Prof Milner is developing a gel form instead.

The gel can be applied directly to the cervix where it kick-starts the death of cancerous cells.

It is not yet clear whether the gel would penetrate deep enough into the cervix to kill off early-stage cancers.

"I don't want to raise false hopes," Prof Milner said.

But the scientist did say the gel may work by tipping the balance in favour of the immune system.

The gel would prevent cells from turning cancerous in women who already have persistent infections and could also be used to kill tumours.

It is hoped UK regulators will allow testing on women with pre-cancerous cells or early-stage cancers, before the routine surgical removal of abnormal cells.

Similar gels could also one day be developed to treat other cancers on accessible surfaces.