Radioactive lead may treat cancer. This is if researchers at
Areva Med in France succeeds in their experiment as they try to explore this
procedure as a more effective treatment to cancers, including ovarian, gastric,
pancreatic, cancers, especially the most dreaded of them all, mesothelioma
cancers.
Areva’s research, as noted by AFP, features the use of the
Pb212 isotope in fighting against antagonistic cancers. However, this isotope
can be found only in very rare metals, like thorium. Only very few countries
have stocks of this radioactive metal.
The study began in 2003, when researchers decided extracting
the isotope when they had hints that this rare element is indeed effective in cancer
treatment. When they saw signs of promise, Areva opened a medical affiliate in U.S.
in 2009, continually working with the Pb212 in the U.S.
In 2011, together with physicians at the University of
Alabama, Areva Med started the first phase of the clinical trial using
radioimmunotherapy. The first of the 18 test patients started with therapy in
April 2012. Areva Med chief Patrick Bourdet noted that the trial has been going
well. If the progress goes on, Areva believes that their findings could be of long-term
use.
