The treatment called ALPHA DaRT delivered total tumor destruction in over 78% of cases.

By  Loukia Papadopoulos

Israeli firm Alpha Tau Medical has developed a new cancer treatment that attacks tumors while sparing healthy tissue. The treatment is called Alpha DaRT (Diffusing Alpha-emitters Radiation Treatment), according to The Jerusalem Post.

A tolerable treatment

Alpha DaRT uses, for the first time, alpha radiation for solid tumor treatment. But it does so in a way that the body can tolerate it.

Most cancer treatments out there are simply not tolerable. Our bodies were not made to be exposed to them.

Alpha particles have a high capacity to destroy cancer cells without causing side effects on healthy cells. However, they have extremely short path length in tissue, meaning that up to now they could not get across the entire volume of a tumor.  

ALPHA DaRT technology uses the radioactive decay of an isotope called radium-224 to power the spread of alpha particles across entire tumors. This makes ALPHA DaRT technology a powerful cancer-killing agent with minimum side effects.

This limits collateral damage during cancer treatment. Studies done on the treatment are very promising showing a very high level of safety for patients.

Shrinkage in 100% of cases

In one recent study, the treatment showed tumor shrinkage in 100% of cases and delivered total tumor destruction in over 78% of cases.

Alpha DaRT technology was invented by Tel Aviv University professors Itzhak Kelson and Yona Keisari. CEO Uzi Sofer then founded Alpha Tau in 2016.

Now Alpha Tau is growing rapidly. It had fewer than 10 employees in 2016 but now counts more than 40. 

And other cancer centers are also exploring Alpha DaRT. Trials are being undertaken in Israel, Canada, Japan, Russia, Italy and in the United States.More from Interesting Engineering

Alpha Tau may just produce the cure we have been waiting for, bringing much-needed hope to millions across the world. Although it’s too early to know for sure its results are that promising.