Researchers harness actinium for cancer treatment

Typically, when radiation treatment is recommended for cancer patients, doctors are able to choose from several radiopharmaceuticals that use low-energy radiation particles, known as beta particles.

Researchers have, however, been investigating the use of alpha particles in cancer treatment but challenges include confining the alpha particles in a designated location inside the body while preventing radiation from damaging healthy organs and tissues.

J. David Robertson, director of research at the MU Research Reactor and professor of chemistry in the College of Arts and Science said, ‘Scientists have had some successes using alpha particles recently, but nothing that can battle different cancers.

‘For example, a current study using radium-223 chloride, which emits alpha particles, has been fast-tracked by the US Food and Drug Administration because it has been shown to be effective in treating bone cancer.

‘However, it only works for bone cancer because the element, radium, is attracted to the bone and stays there. We believe we have found a solution that will allow us to target alpha particles to other cancer sites in the body in an effective manner.’