Radioligand:
A radioligand is a microscopic particle which consists of a therapeutic radioactive isotope and the cell-targeting compound — the ligand. The ligand is the target binding site; it may be on the surface of the targeted cancer cell for therapeutic purposes. [Wikipedia]
I’ve heard of ligands being used to convey various poisons to cancer, as a form of chemotherapy, but this one is new. Noted in “We need more radioactive drugs. Can we make them from nuclear waste?” Mark Peplow, NewScientist (25 April 2026; paywall):
The more recent buzz around radioactivity in medicine centres on something called radioligand therapy. This addresses the well-known problem with radiotherapy: it can damage healthy cells as well as tumours. The idea is to tether a radioactive atom to a molecule called a ligand that seeks out and binds to cancer cells. In this way, the drugs deliver a precise strike with fewer side effects.
