A Melbourne medical breakthrough could stop cancer in its tracks by locking cells before they mutate and spread.

Scientists at the Olivia Newton John cancer research centre are getting close to interrupting the body’s wound-healing process by creating a new way to stop growth of deadly tumours.

The Herald Sun reports the breakthrough aims to use the white blood cells healing properties to stop cancer cells mutating.

 Testing has been successful on Colon and Stomach cancers during animal testing.

Researchers are now collaborating to design a drug capable of safely freezing the wound- healing cell in humans.

Clinical trials could be likely in the next three years.