# Astatine-211 alpha therapy

Source: https://onco.cc/technologies/astatine-211-alpha-therapy/  
OnCo record `astatine-211-alpha-therapy` (Technology). Data CC BY-NC 4.0, attribute "Data from OnCo (onco.cc)"; commercial use needs a licence.

## TL;DR

A rare alpha-emitting halogen that can be attached to antibodies and small molecules like iodine, tested in leukaemia conditioning and brain and ovarian cancer.

## Summary

Astatine-211 is an alpha emitter with a 7.2-hour half-life that behaves chemically like iodine, so it can label antibodies and small molecules by radiohalogenation. Its short range and high energy suit micrometastatic and disseminated disease; academic programmes in Gothenburg, Seattle and Japan have tested At-211 antibodies in ovarian cancer and as anti-CD45 conditioning before transplant, and At-211 PSMA and MABG agents are in early trials. Production requires a cyclotron with alpha beams, limiting supply to a few centres.

## Fields

- Kind: Technology
- Status: phase-1
- Last checked: 2026-09-04
- Principle: At-211 is produced by bombarding bismuth with alpha particles, labelled to a targeting molecule, and delivers high linear-energy-transfer alpha particles over a few cell diameters.
- Strengths: Alpha emission kills with few decays and overcomes resistance; Iodine-like chemistry fits existing tracers; Short half-life limits residual dose
- Limitations: Very limited production capacity; Short half-life constrains logistics; Early clinical stage

## Sources

- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astatine
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astatine

## Connected records

- cancers: [Acute myeloid leukaemia](https://onco.cc/cancers/aml/), [Ovarian cancer](https://onco.cc/cancers/ovarian/), [Prostate cancer](https://onco.cc/cancers/prostate/)
- fronts: [Radiopharmaceuticals & Theranostics](https://onco.cc/fronts/radiopharma/)
- technologies: [Radioligand therapy (beta emitters)](https://onco.cc/technologies/radioligand-therapy/), [Targeted alpha therapy](https://onco.cc/technologies/targeted-alpha-therapy/)

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