Harnessing nuclear waste to advance cancer treatments

The UK National Nuclear Laboratory (UKNNL) and Medicines Discovery Catapult (MDC) have secured funding from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) to explore innovative approaches for producing next-generation cancer treatments from spent nuclear material.

This funding will support efforts to scale up the extraction of precision nuclear medicines from reprocessed uranium, establishing a sovereign capability in this rapidly advancing therapeutic sector. By using the UK’s existing nuclear resources, the initiative aims to position the country as a global leader in radiopharmaceutical development.

Targeted Alpha Therapy (TAT) is an emerging precision medicine approach that offers highly targeted and effective cancer treatments with minimal side effects. One radionuclide of particular interest, Lead-212, can be extracted from reprocessed uranium - previously used to generate electricity in UK nuclear power plants. As it decays with an 11-hour half-life, Lead-212 emits radiation that precisely targets and destroys cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue.

While other countries are actively developing radiopharmaceuticals, the UK currently lacks a sustainable pipeline to secure patient access. UKNNL and MDC will assess pathways to provide Lead-212 and other radionuclides to researchers and pharmaceutical developers, ultimately aiming to enable commercial production and NHS adoption.

Professor Paul Howarth, CEO of UKNNL, highlighted the significance of the initiative: “For decades, UKNNL has pioneered uranium processing technologies, and our scientists in Preston are now applying their expertise to extract Lead-212 for medical use. This funding will help advance research, enabling these materials to move closer to clinical application, potentially saving lives. It’s remarkable that uranium, which once powered homes, could now be repurposed to treat cancer.”

Professor Chris Molloy, CEO of MDC, emphasised the broader impact: “Precision radiopharmaceuticals offer a major opportunity for the UK to reclaim leadership in medicinal radiochemistry. Converting nuclear waste into targeted therapies could revolutionise cancer treatment while ensuring domestic production of vital radiochemicals. By combining MDC’s expertise in drug discovery and radiochemistry with UKNNL’s nuclear capabilities, this project will help establish a sustainable radionuclide supply chain for medical use.”

UKNNL is at the forefront of ensuring the UK’s supply of essential radionuclides, collaborating with researchers to support the development of innovative treatments for cancer, Alzheimer’s, and cardiovascular diseases. Meanwhile, MDC operates a world-class preclinical facility specialising in radiochemistry and advanced imaging technologies - critical assets for translating radiopharmaceutical research into clinical breakthroughs.

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