Scientists at the UK’s National Nuclear Laboratory say they have made a breakthrough for producing Lead-212 (Pb-212), a very important medical radioisotope for treating cancer, but which is difficult to produce and therefore in short supply.

Used in an emerging medical treatment known as targeted alpha therapy (TAT), Pb-212 labelled targeting molecules destroy cancer cells while minimising damage to healthy parts of the body. TATs have gained traction because they fight cancer while limiting the side effects experienced by patients.