Breakthrough in cancer treatment: Ontario nuclear plant to start production of Y-90

 Ontario will produce isotopes used in targeted therapy for liver cancer

Ontario has announced plans to produce yttrium-90 (Y-90), a vital medical isotope used to treat liver cancer. It's a collaboration with two Ottawa-based companies, BWXT Medical and Boston Scientific, which already manufacture TheraSphere, a Y-90-based drug, in Ontario.

Until now, they had to import Y-90 from abroad. The new Darlington facility will ensure uninterrupted access to this critical raw material.

The TheraSphere is a targeted therapy consisting of millions of microscopic glass spheres that contain Y-90. It is used to treat patients with liver cancer, one of the leading causes of death from cancer.

Isotope production will be managed by Laurentis Energy Partners, a subsidiary of Ontario Power Generation.

Health Minister Sylvia Jones and Energy Minister Todd Smith welcomed the deal, calling it a "win for patients, for Ontario and for Canada."