Experiments on mice and human tissue found it is effective against the most aggressive tumors.

They include those of the breast, pancreas, ovaries, and brain. The compound, known as ERX-41, leaves healthy tissue unscathed.

It is one of the most promising breakthroughs to date—offering hope of a 'one size fits all' pill that was once thought impossible.

Results were so encouraging that clinical trials are expected to begin in the next few months.

"We identified a critical vulnerability in multiple cancers and have validated our findings in multiple cancer cell types and animal models," Lead author Professor Ratna Vadlamudi, of the University of Texas said. "The range of cell lines and xenografts in which the compound has been shown to work is compelling and indicates that it is targeting a fundamental vulnerability in cancer cells."