Chinese scientists' application of RNA interference technology on animals for treatment of breast cancer has achieved noticeable results.

Scientists from the Physics Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences are the first in the world to use RNA interference technology to treat breast cancer, China Radio International reported on Sunday.

Their experiments on laboratory rats show the technology can effectively kill the animals' cancer cells.

Chinese scientists are now hoping to develop a genetic medicine to cure many kinds of tumor.

The RNA interference technology, which is used to block the expression of genes, was discovered by scientists in the 1990s. Scientists from many countries are using it to develop genetic medicines, some of which are already in clinical use.

(CRI November 1, 2004)