Deliver radiation therapy directly and specifically to cancer cells

Developed from radioactive iodine in treatment of thyroid cancer as iodine is naturally found in the thyroid, so when radiation is put into the body, it travels to the thyroid and releases energy which kills cancer cells.

Radiopharmaceuticals consist of three main components: a radioisotope, a targeting molecule which is able to recognise the exact shape of the target cancer cells, and a binding molecule that joins them together [49].

They can be injected, infused, inhaled, or ingested so that they make their way into the bloodstream.

In 2018, research showed promising evidence that solid tumours can be treated with this method as well [49], as currently it is more commonly used to treat for example cancers of the blood.

It may revolutionise personalised medicine as it can be tailored to each patient and their specific needs for treatment.