UK to recycle nuclear waste for next-gen cancer treatment
The UK is taking a bold step by turning spent nuclear fuel into a weapon against tough cancers.
Announced on November 18, 2025, this project will extract lead-212 from old nuclear material to create Targeted Alpha Therapies—treatments designed to zap cancer cells while leaving healthy ones mostly unharmed.
It's backed by £18.8 million from government and industry.
Why lead-212 matters
Lead-212, sourced from recycled uranium that once powered the nation's lights, lasts just 11 hours—ideal for precise cancer therapy.
The UK has plenty of it, so there's no need to rely on imports.
This means more reliable access for clinical trials and possibly future NHS treatments.
Who's making it happen?
It's a team-up between the UK National Nuclear Laboratory (nuclear experts) and Medicines Discovery Catapult (drug innovators).
Their partnership aims to fast-track research and secure a steady supply of these powerful therapies—giving new hope to patients with cancers that haven't had good options before, and putting the UK at the cutting edge of nuclear medicine.