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Urenco Stable Isotopes joins research programme targeting cancer from within the body
12 January 2023
Urenco Stable Isotopes is continuously looking for new opportunities in which its isotopes can be used for the betterment of society.
That’s why we joined the Understanding the Radiobiology of therapeutic medical radionuclides (UNRANU) programme as a consortium partner.
As we sadly know, cancer is a leading cause of death globally, and most patients whose cancer has spread can no longer be cured. However, so-called radionuclide therapy, which is already an established form of nuclear medicine, can substantially improve their survival. Patients undergoing this therapy are administered substances containing radioactive atoms – the radionuclide. These will specifically move through the bloodstream and bind to tumours, irradiating them from the inside.
The UNRANU programme is developing new production routes for these radionuclides; finding the best match between radionuclide and tumour type, determining the optimal treatment dose, and investigating how treatment effectiveness is influenced by the immune system.
Urenco Stable Isotopes, based in the Netherlands, is playing its part by supplying quantities of enriched stable isotopes of interest to the programme, which can be investigated for further use.
The combined expertise of the consortium partners spans the entire supply chain from radionuclide production, radiobiology, immunology, patient experience, society, and industry.
This creates a unique multidisciplinary research environment where there is access to various therapeutic radionuclides and tools. Using these, studies can be performed on radionuclides’ biological effects in 2D, 3D and in vivo (within the body of a living organism) models, using already established technologies, combined with highly innovative evaluation methods.
The programme could potentially lead to new applications of isotopes from our current product portfolio, or to the development of new isotopes of interest which we currently don’t produce.
About Urenco
Urenco is an international supplier of enrichment services and fuel cycle products with sustainability at the core of its business. Operating in a pivotal area of the nuclear fuel supply chain for 50 years, Urenco facilitates zero carbon electricity generation for consumers around the world.
With its head office near London, UK, Urenco’s global presence ensures diversity and security of supply for customers through enrichment facilities in Germany, the Netherlands, the UK and the USA. Using centrifuge technology designed and developed by Urenco, and through the expertise of our people, the Urenco Group provides safe, cost effective and reliable services; operating within a framework of high environmental, social and governance standards, complementing international safeguards.
Urenco is committed to continued investment in the responsible management of nuclear materials; innovation activities with clear sustainability benefits, such as nuclear medicine, industrial efficiency and research; and nurturing the next generation of scientists and engineers.
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