Nuclear Waste Could Aid in Cancer Treatment

There’s a growing interest in nuclear technology, driven largely by the need for cleaner energy sources and the rising demand for electricity as artificial intelligence continues to advance. Interestingly, nuclear might also have potential in the field of cancer treatment.

At Oak Ridge National Laboratory, located where the Manhattan Project once operated, researchers are exploring how to utilize nuclear waste as a possible cancer therapy. The lab is working with a contractor, Isotek, which is part of the Terrapower and Energy division. They’ve come up with a method to extract essential elements from nuclear materials, enabling a promising approach known as targeted alpha therapy.

According to an Isotek representative, the company is utilizing uranium-233 from government supplies, processing it for disposal, while also recovering thorium-229 in the process.

There’s only a tiny amount of thorium-229 available globally—about 45 grams, which is roughly the size of six washing machines. This makes it extremely rare.

Targeted alpha therapy focuses on destroying cancer cells specifically, which means it can minimize damage to surrounding healthy cells. Researchers are optimistic that this treatment method could be effective for various cancer types, ranging from breast to prostate cancer.

There are ongoing discussions about public-private partnerships that could enhance production capabilities and reduce costs by managing the risks related to highly enriched fissile materials stored at the Oak Ridge facility.

Currently, there’s one drug in the final stages of clinical trials that might hit the market by late 2027. It’s a development that could significantly change the landscape of cancer treatment.