Targeted alpha-particle therapy (IMAGE) RIKEN Caption A schematic of the study. The simple targeted alpha-particle therapy (TAT) compound was made by joining the radionuclide astatine-211 to an azide. The TAT compound was injected into a mice that had human lung cancer implants. The TAT targets acrolein, which is abundant in cancer cells, but not in healthy cells. After reacting with acrolein, the compound becomes anchored to an organelle in the cell, and when alpha particles are released, they damage it. Credit RIKEN Usage Restrictions credit RIKEN License Original content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.