A staff member operates a shielded hot cell, a specialized facility designed to prevent radioactive leaks, at the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute in Yuseong District, Daejeon, Nov. 29. Korea Times photo by Lee Han-ho

Korea is set to begin domestic production of actinium-225 (Ac-225), a key raw material for next-generation cancer treatments, as early as the first half of 2025.

With production facilities already in place and final approval from nuclear safety authorities expected soon, the move is set to accelerate the development of radiopharmaceuticals for cancer treatment, reduce reliance on imports and raise hopes among patients and the medical community.

According to the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC) on Thursday, the Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety, an agency under the NSSC, has been reviewing a production permit application submitted by the Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences (KIRAMS) since March.

A KIRAMS official said, "If approval is granted early next year as expected, production could begin in the first half of the year." KIRAMS is equipped with a cyclotron, which is the facility required to produce Ac-225.

Ac-225 is a radioactive isotope that emits alpha radiation, which can be used in cancer treatment. Similar radiopharmaceuticals, such as Novartis' neuroendocrine tumor drug Lutathera and prostate cancer drug Pluvicto, are based on the beta-emitting isotope lutetium-177 and have become blockbuster products due to their efficacy.

Experts believe that the stronger energy of alpha radiation compared to beta radiation makes Ac-225 a promising candidate for even more effective cancer drugs.

Currently, all Ac-225 used in Korea for drug development and clinical trials are imported. The domestic production of the isotope is expected to significantly boost the development of radiopharmaceuticals, increasing treatment opportunities for patients.

A KIRAMS official said, "Producing Ac-225 locally will reduce the cost of radiopharmaceuticals, alleviating the financial burden on patients."

The main hurdle for final approval is ensuring production safety. The artificial production of Ac-225 generates radon gas, a Class 1 carcinogen known to cause lung cancer.

An NSSC official said, "We are currently evaluating how to manage radon shielding and emission limits to ensure safety."

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.