LONDON, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- British scientists have found a drug used to treat Alzheimer's disease can stop breast cancer recurring by attacking the Notch gene which stimulates cancer cells, local media reported.

    The team of scientists at the University of Manchester led by Robert Clarke hope that if the Alzheimer's drug, which is a class of gamma secretase inhibitor, is used to combat breast cancer, its clinical trial would be sped up as it has already gone through health and safety checks for dementia treatment.

    "Our work has revealed the importance of several pathways not previously known to regulate stem cell survival and self-renewal, which is tremendously exciting," Clarke was quoted as saying.

    The research was announced at the National Cancer Research Institute conference in Birmingham Monday, according to the reports.