Laboratory tests by the University of Manchester have introduced an innovative drug to help treat 3 major types of childhood cancer.

The RH1 drug was able to kill neuroblastoma cancer cells (a common tumor which forms in the child's nerve tissues), osteosarcoma, and Ewing's sarcoma (bone cancers).

"We hope that this will be just the first of many new agents that we can show are useful for treating childhood cancer," said Dr Guy Makin, head of the research team.

According to Cancerbackup, some 100 children develop neuroblastoma and around 60 children develop osteosarcomas or Ewing's sarcoma every year.