A mix of Viagra and the flu vaccine could treat cancer: Bizarre cocktail is now being tested in humans after reducing the disease by 90% in mice

The unconventional strategy invigorates the immune system to attack tumor cells left lingering after surgery, when the body is vulnerable.

Testing the method in mice with lung cancer, Canadian researchers saw a 90 percent reduction in the spread of the disease.

The study was such a success that 24 human stomach cancer patients will now test the combination in a clinical trial that could pave the way to it being approved.

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The team at the University of Ottawa found that erectile dysfunction drugs block suppressor cells, allowing natural killer cells to do their cancer-fighting job. The flu vaccine further invigorates the killer cells

Normally, immune cells called natural killer cells play a major role in killing metastatic cancer cells. 

But surgery causes another kind of immune cell, called a myeloid derived suppressor cell (MDSC), to block the NK cells. 

Dr Rebecca Auer's team at the University of Ottawa has found that erectile dysfunction drugs block these suppressor cells, which allows the natural killer cells to do their cancer-fighting job. 

The flu vaccine works to further stimulates the natural killer cells.

'Surgery is very effective in removing solid tumours,' said senior author Dr Auer, surgical oncologist and head of cancer research at The Ottawa Hospital.

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