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Content archived on 2022-11-28

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European research develops new treatment for leukaemia

A new radioisotope, bismuth-213, has been developed for the treatment of leukaemia by the Institute of Transuranium Elements (ITU) of the European Commission's Joint Research Centre, demonstrating the expertise acquired in European research facilities. The new radioisotope ha...

A new radioisotope, bismuth-213, has been developed for the treatment of leukaemia by the Institute of Transuranium Elements (ITU) of the European Commission's Joint Research Centre, demonstrating the expertise acquired in European research facilities. The new radioisotope has just entered early clinical trials at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centre in New York, where the director of the Leukaemia Service, Dr. David Scheinberg, hopes to achieve the proof of principle for the new therapy within six to nine months. Meanwhile, the European Commission is sponsoring similar studies at hospitals in Nantes, France, and Heidelberg, Germany. The new treatment destroys cancerous cells but, in contrast to traditional irradiation therapy or chemotherapy, does very little damage to surrounding cells. This is because the alpha particles which are emitted, although very good at killing cells, only travel tiny distances. Bismuth-213 is derived from nuclear waste. It is easier to handle than other alpha emitters and decays rapidly into a non-radioactive substance. The ITU is increasing its production capacity for bismuth-213, in anticipation of rising demand.

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