Published in Chemistry World, 11 May 2011
An international team of researchers has produced sizeable amounts of a new radioisotope, paving the way for its use in cancer therapy. The isotope, terbium-161, emits a number of low-energy electrons upon decay, which should make it useful for treating small tumours.
Radioisotopes are commonly used to treat cancer. Normally, an isotope is attached to a special ‘bioconjugate’ molecule – an antibody, for example – that preferentially binds to cancer cells, so that the isotope only destroys diseased areas. As the isotope decays it emits radiation which ionises the cells’ DNA, stalling the tumour’s growth. […]
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