Otago University researchers have discovered a new protein which could influence cancer treatment

The finding centres on the activity of a tumour-suppressing protein called P16.

It's now been discovered the protein can dramatically alter its structure and function, which can lead to certain types of cancer.

Lead researcher Christoph Goebl says this knowledge could benefit breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.

He says the researchers need to screen different tumours to determine what cancers would benefit it first.