Rosatom developed a technology for the fight against cancer using iodine-125 and begins to sell it

The State Corporation "Rosatom" plans to start commercial sales of micro-sources with a radioactive IDO-125 isotope in 2016, necessary for the treatment of prostate cancer, according to the annual report of Atomenergoprom JSC for 2015.

Prostate cancer is one of the most common oncological diseases in men. One of the promising and effective methods of treating this disease is brachytherapy. During the treatment procedure, the maximum dose of radiation is delivered directly to the tumor without damage to adjacent tissues and organs, RIA Novosti reports.

The first in Russia surgery in brachytherapy using completely Russian microfidants with iodine-125 was held in October 2015 at the Tsyba Medical Radiological Scientific Center in Obninsk.

The Isotope Yod-125 in the required quantities is developed at two Rosatom enterprises: the research institute of atomic reactors (NIIIR, Dimitrovgrad) and at the Leipansky Physics and Energy Institute (FEE, Obninsk).

"The introduction of Russian sources significantly reduces the cost of operations, as they are almost five times cheaper than imported analogues and also have significant export potential. For 2016, the beginning of commercial sales is planned," the Atomenergoprom said.

The foundations of this project were laid 10 years ago, thanks to the efforts of scientists, an import -substituting product was developed significantly cheaper than imported analogues, not inferior to them in quality. And now the date depends on the decision of the Ministry of Health when a demanded drug enters the Russian market.