A team of bioscientists discovered a protein that controls the spread of cancer cells.

Led by Dr. Lim Dong-soo of the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, the team discovered a protein called UCP that causes the spread of cancer by breaking down cancer-repressing proteins. The team also found a nucleic acid called siRNA that hinders the growth of UCP proteins.

According to the team, there could be a cure for cancer within the next four years based on their findings.

The research team says the discovery is the first of its kind in the world.

International biomedical research journal, Nature Medicine, published the team’s study in Monday's online edition.