Oxford scientists have found a new and better way to kill breast cancer by sticking drugs to antibodies with sugar.

Oxford University Researchers found they can use sugar molecules naturally found on human antibodies and stick drugs onto them.

The team, funded by Abingdon charity Against Breast Cancer, discovered they could even control the amount of drug that stuck on and select those antibodies that caused the least inflammation, meaning they can reduce the side-effects of the treatment.

When they had produced an antibody mixture that was 90 per cent pure, they realised their creation could work just as well at low doses than the current antibody treatments available.

Dr Weston Streuw, one of the leaders on the latest study, said: "We are learning how to manipulate the function and biological impact of antibodies, such as Herceptin, by altering the sugar molecules that decorate them to optimize activity.

"We are now exploring how the sugars could be used to attach cell-killing components to optimized antibodies and further improve their cancer-destroying capability."

Antibodies - human immune cells which seek out and destroy foreign bodies - are increasingly being engineered to carry anti-cancer drugs.

These next-generation treatments could be used at lower doses and have reduced side effects.