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Study shows efficacy of alpha particles in cancer treatment
Last reviewed: 30.06.2025
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Scientists from the UK conducted research on a new cancer treatment based on the action of alpha particles. The results of the treatment were so effective that the study was decided to be stopped early.
The study involved 992 people with late-stage prostate cancer. In 90% of cases, prostate cancer leads to the spread of metastases to bone tissue, so there are currently no effective treatments for such patients.
Half of the patients received a new drug with an alpha particle source – radium-223, the other half underwent traditional treatment – chemotherapy in combination with a placebo pill.
The study results showed that the group of patients taking the radium-223 drug had a 30% reduction in mortality and a life expectancy of 14 months, compared to the other group, where the life expectancy was 11 months.
Radiation has been used to treat cancer for about 100 years. The mechanism of action is to destroy the genetic code of cancer cells. The principle of action of alpha particles is the same as that of beta particles, but their number is much greater, so the damage caused to tumors is much greater.
One of the study's authors said: "They are more destructive. It takes one to three hits to kill a cancer cell, while beta particles require several thousand hits." Despite all this, the new treatment turned out to be safe. For example, the group of people who were exposed to alpha particles had fewer side effects than those who took a placebo. This is because alpha particles are less destructive to surrounding healthy tissue, due to the smaller area of impact.
Scientists hope this research will be an important addition to existing treatments for prostate cancer.