Everett lab works on drug could cure some cancerous tumors
Bill Gates' TerraPower Isotopes lab is the first to use part of a radioactive material to fight disease.
Uranium-233 was originally meant to be used as a powerful Cold War weapon but was quickly deemed too dangerous. The material has been sitting in a heavily guarded armed bunker for decades.
Terrapower Isotopes President Scott Claunch tells us if used in its original capacity, uranium-233 is deadly.
'It was thought at the time as a potential source for fuel for nuclear reactors,' Claunch said.
Now scientists want to use it to save lives instead.
'It works very specifically to deposit directly to the cancerous cells,' Claunch said.
TerraPower Isotopes is using the element broken down to its lowest form, also known as actinium 225. By extracting the actinium, the drug developers can turn it into part of an experimental drug.
'When it does that, the actinium destroys the cancerous cells and protects the healthy tissue,' Claunch said.
Protecting the healthy cells is the main goal. By only targeting the sick cancerous cells and not attacking the good ones, the outcomes and impacts of treatment are very different.
'This targeted alpha therapy really brings hope for the patient,' Claunch said. 'It destroys cancer at the cellular level and the side effects are minimal.'
Because of that careful attention to detail, hundreds of patients across the world are currently part of a phase three trial for a drug.
In one case, a male patient's body was shown riddled with metastasized prostate cancer. After a few months of treatment with the actinium drug, the tumors are gone according to his scans.
In this case, shocking results were clear.
The American Cancer Society data shows more than 616,000 people will die of Cancer in the U.S. in 2025. This is a number scientists in Everett are desperate to lower.
'It's difficult, rewarding, motivating, and the team of scientists and operators are some of the best in class people being tasked with solving these issues to enable a future without cancer or keep cancer at bay,' Claunch said.
If the drug makes it through all needed trials, it then will be submitted to the FDA for approved. Leaders tell us they hope this could be available to all cancer patients by 2028.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
10 Subtle Signs of Cervical Cancer Doctors Say You Should Never Ignore
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Cervical cancer diagnoses are quite rare, with only about 13,000 women diagnosed every year, according to the American Cancer Society (317,000 are diagnosed with breast cancer every year, for comparison). One of the biggest reasons for this is that the illness doesn't present any signs of cervical cancer until the later stages. 'Cervical cancer is a slow onset cancer, so by the time someone is showing symptoms it's usually more advanced,' explained Lauren Streicher, M.D., a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, and medical director of the Northwestern Medicine Center for Sexual Medicine and Menopause. What's more, when there are early symptoms, they are typically things that have other, more likely causes. 'Non-specific symptoms can mean many other things, so just because you may exhibit these symptoms, it doesn't automatically mean cervical cancer. Get them checked out, but chances are it's nothing serious,' Dr. Streicher said. About the experts: Lauren Streicher, M.D., a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, and medical director of the Northwestern Medicine Center for Sexual Medicine and Menopause; Kecia Gaither, M.D., an ob/gyn and director of perinatal services and maternal fetal medicine at NYC Health+ Hospitals/Lincoln in New York City; Christine Horner, M.D., a women's health advocate and author of Radiant Health, Ageless Beauty. In the meantime, make sure to have a yearly pap test on your calendar. 'Since the cancer is slow to develop, yearly pap tests and visits to your gynecologist can help ensure you don't have any abnormalities in the cervix,' Dr. Streicher said. But if you experience any of these signs of cervical cancer in between your annual appointments, especially if it's more than one, it doesn't hurt to get them checked out. 1. Unusual bleeding or spotting According to Kecia Gaither, M.D., an ob/gyn and director of perinatal services and maternal fetal medicine at NYC Health+ Hospitals/Lincoln in New York City, unexplained bleeding can be a sign of cervical cancer. 'Symptoms of cervical cancer are vague, and can mean many things, but bleeding in between periods, bleeding after intercourse, or after menopause can all be signs of cervical cancer,' she explained. Heavier-than-usual menstrual bleeding, bleeding after a pelvic exam, bleeding after douching, or longer-than-usual menstrual periods would also qualify. 2. Abnormal vaginal discharge There are many reasons for vaginal discharge (and many forms that are completely normal), but Dr. Gaither explained that if it is watery and foul-smelling, that may be a sign of cervical cancer. According to the Cleveland Clinic, watery or bloody vaginal discharge that is heavy and foul-smelling can be a sign of Stage I cervical cancer, so a change in your discharge may be one of the first things you see. 3. Pain during sex Tumor growth throughout the tissue of the cervix can cause pain during intercourse for women with cervical cancer, per the Mayo Clinic, but cancer isn't the only thing that can cause pain during sex. 'Pain or bleeding from sex can mean many non-serious things as well,' Dr. Streicher said. 'It can mean inflammation of the cervix, a vaginal infection or cervical polyp—all of these are non-serious causes—which is why the general mantra is that if anything doesn't seem right and is consistent, get it checked out.' 4. Abnormal pap test results If you get abnormal pap test results, don't freak out that it's cervical cancer right away. Your doctor will review the results to see what types of abnormalities were found. Not all cell abnormalities found in the cervix are cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, abnormal pap test results could also include cells that don't look normal because of irritation, infection, or changes in hormones, lesions caused by a human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, or cells that could become cancer in the future if not treated. Depending on the results, your doctor may order further testing, such as a colposcopy or biopsy. 5. Persistent back or pelvic pain Lower back and pelvic pain can be linked to problems with the reproductive organs, which include the cervix. Dr. Gaither warned that 'persistent back pain' is what to look out for. Per the Cleveland Clinic, back, pelvic and abdominal pain don't typically arise until later stages, when the cancer may have spread. So if it's constant and you also have one or more other symptoms, speak to your doctor immediately. 6. Very little appetite or unintentional weight loss As with many cancers, loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss can be a cause for concern. In fact, a 2024 study published in JAMA found that unintentional weight loss was associated with a much higher risk of a cancer diagnosis in the coming year. So while this symptom on its own does not mean cervical cancer, if you experience a wide array of these warning signs, in addition to a loss of appetite or weight loss, talk to your doctor. 7. Extreme fatigue Fatigue is a broad symptom that can come and go and shouldn't be used as a marker for cervical cancer on its own. However, like unexplained weight loss, it commonly appears before and during cancer, per the American Cancer Society. Unlike standard feelings of tiredness, you may feel tired in a way that doesn't improve with rest or sleep, sad or cranky, very weak, or like you can't focus your thoughts. If you're experiencing many of the other symptoms on this list along with extreme fatigue, it's worth mentioning to your doctor. 8. Leg swelling or pain Leg pain or swelling is a sign of cervical cancer, though it might not show up until later stages of the disease, said Christine Horner, M.D., a women's health advocate and author of Radiant Health, Ageless Beauty. "Cervical cancer can spread to lymph nodes in the area between the hip bones. Cancer cells can also stop lymph fluid from draining away. This might lead to swelling in your legs due to fluid build-up. The swelling is called lymphedema." According to the National Library of Medicine, lymphedema can also be caused by an inherited condition or an obstruction in the lymphatic system. 9. An HPV diagnosis This is less of a symptom, and more of a risk factor for cervical cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, HPV infections cause almost all cervical cancers. HPV is a group of more than 200 related viruses, that are transmitted through intimate skin-to-skin contact, per the National Cancer Institute. Of the 200 viruses, two are responsible for most HPV-related cancers—but all can be prevented with vaccination. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the HPV vaccine for all children around ages 11 or 12 and all young adults through age 26 if they didn't receive it earlier. 10. Having HIV Another risk factor for cervical cancer is having human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). According to research in The Lancet, women living with HIV have a six-fold higher risk of developing cervical cancer. Women who have HIV are more susceptible to cervical cancer because of their compromised immune system. 'The immunodeficiency status makes you more prone to catching things,' explained Dr. Gaither. While there is currently no cure for HIV, per the CDC, treatment can control the virus and reduce your risk of developing associated illnesses. There are a few reasons cervical cancer is known as a silent killer among women. For one, the disease doesn't present any symptoms until it is at a later stage. This makes the illness tricky to catch early, and complicates treatment. 'Cervical cancer is a slow onset cancer, so by the time someone is showing symptoms it's usually more advanced,' explains Lauren Streicher, MD, clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University's medical school, and medical director of the Northwestern Medicine Center for Sexual Medicine and Menopause. Cervical cancer symptoms are also non-specific. 'Non-specific symptoms can mean many other things, so just because you may exhibit these symptoms, it doesn't automatically mean cervical cancer. Get them checked out, but chances are it's nothing serious,' Dr. Streicher explains. The good news is that a yearly pap test can help with early detection. 'Since the cancer is slow to develop, yearly pap tests and visits to your gynecologist can help ensure you don't have any abnormalities in the cervix,' Dr. Streicher says. But if you experience any of these symptoms in between your annual appointments, it doesn't hurt to get them checked out. (Just remember: Many of these signs of cervical cancer are also signs of common, benign issues, so no need to freak out quite yet.) You Might Also Like Can Apple Cider Vinegar Lead to Weight Loss? Bobbi Brown Shares Her Top Face-Transforming Makeup Tips for Women Over 50 Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Fact Check: Bill Gates-backed company created lab-made butter
Claim: A company backed by billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates has produced lab-made butter using carbon. Rating: Context: Breakthrough Energy Ventures, an investment fund Gates founded, is a shareholder in Savor, the company that manufactures the lab-made butter. Gates is not personally involved in Savor's management or leadership, according to a Savor spokesperson. In August 2025, a claim spread online that a company backed by Bill Gates had started manufacturing lab-made butter created with carbon, rather than dairy products. The butter rumor churned its way through the internet via posts on X, Facebook and Reddit. According to a 2024 blog post by Gates, he did, in fact, invest in a company called Savor, which announced the commercial launch of its lab-made butter created "directly from carbon without the need for conventional agriculture" in March 2025. Thus, we rate this claim true. Over email, a Savor spokesperson confirmed that Breakthrough Energy Ventures, a mission-driven investment fund Gates founded in 2015, became a shareholder in the company in 2022. According to the spokesperson, Breakthrough Energy Ventures did not own a majority stake and Gates was not personally involved in "the management or leadership of Savor." Carbon-made butter Many social media users expressed concern that the company's lab-made butter was toxic or unsafe for human consumption. However, according to Savor's FAQ — scroll to the end of this page — the company produced its butter by recreating the chemical profile of fats found in dairy-based butter — just through using science, instead of a cow. "The fats we produce are chemically identical to the fat we already eat, just in varying concentrations – they are the same fuel for your body as the fats you already consume every day," the company's FAQ said. In simple terms, natural fats are made from carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. According to Savor, the company's scientists took carbon from gases like carbon dioxide and hydrogen from water (see Page 2). Then, they added heat, pressure and oxidation, which produced the same kind of fat molecules found in milk, beef and vegetable oils. A food scientist for Savor, Jordan Beiden-Charles, told Chicago's WBBM-TV that the company's scientists then added water, lecithin and some "natural flavor and color" to get the final butter product. Lecithin is a group of fatty substances found naturally in foods like egg yolks and peanuts; as is common in the food industry, the company used it as an emulsifier. According to a 2024 Smithsonian Magazine article, Savor used rosemary oil for flavor and beta-carotene, a pigment found in fruits and vegetables, for color. Savor's spokesperson confirmed the continued use of these ingredients and said they also used thyme oil for flavor, adding, "The full ingredients list for Savor's butter is: Savor Fat (MLCT Oil), Water, Salt, Sunflower Lecithin, Rosemary & Thyme oil, Beta Carotene." Per Page 3 of this Savor document, as of 2025, the company has conducted consultation meetings with the FDA and was seeking a "no questions" letter from the agency, which would essentially state that the agency does not have any concerns about the safety of a food product. The Savor spokesperson confirmed that the company was in the process of securing that letter in August 2025. Peer-reviewed research — produced in part by Savor's CEO, Kathleen Alexander — found chemical and biological food processes like those used by Savor could result in "enormous potential reductions in greenhouse gas emissions as well as in land and water use." Gates investment A Feb. 13, 2024, blog post from Gates further confirmed the Microsoft billionaire's investment in Savor. Here's the relevant part (emphasis ours): What we need are new ways of generating the same fat molecules found in animal products, but without greenhouse gas emissions, animal suffering, or dangerous chemicals. And they have to be affordable for everyone. It might sound like a pipe dream, but a company called Savor (which I'm invested in) is in the process of doing it. […] I've tasted Savor's products, and I couldn't believe I wasn't eating real butter. (The burger came close, too.) According to Savor's press kit, the company launched in 2022 via Orca Sciences, a climate-focused research and development organization with reported ties to Gates. "Since then, we have secured $33 million in venture capital funding from Breakthrough Energy Ventures and Synthesis Capital," Savor said (see Page 1). Gates established Breakthrough Energy Ventures, a climate technology-focused investment fund, in 2015 and at the time of this writing was the fund's co-chair, according to its website. This wasn't the first time we've looked into a rumor about lab-made food. Previously, we investigated a claim that a Dutch company was 3D-printing meat cultivated from animal stem cells. Bassi, Margherita. "New 'Butter' Made from Carbon Dioxide Tastes like the Real Dairy Product, Startup Says." Smithsonian Magazine, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 July 2024, "Beta-Carotene." Breakthrough Energy. "Breakthrough Energy Origin Story | Breakthrough Energy." 5 Jan. 2024, Costa-Pinto, Rahul, and Dashiell Gantner. "Macronutrients, Minerals, Vitamins and Energy." Anaesthesia & Intensive Care Medicine, vol. 21, no. 3, Mar. 2020, pp. 157–61, Davis, Steven J., et al. "Food without Agriculture." Nature Sustainability, Nov. 2023, pp. 1–6, Accessed 7 Dec. 2023. Davis, Steven J., and Ian McKay. "To Save the Climate, Let's Consider Making Food without Farms." 5 Aug. 2024, Accessed 14 Aug. 2025. "Foreword from Bill Gates." Breakthrough Energy, 2023, Accessed 13 Aug. 2025. Gates, Bill. "Greasy—and Good for the Planet." 13 Feb. 2024, "Ian McKay | Hertz Foundation." Fannie and John Hertz Foundation, 22 Mar. 2024, Accessed 14 Aug. 2025. "Lecithin." Molina, Tara. "Butter Made from Carbon Tastes like the Real Thing, Gets Backing from Bill Gates." 7 Aug. 2025, Accessed 13 Aug. 2025. "One Process, Many Fats." 18 July 2025, Accessed 13 Aug. 2025. "Orca Sciences." 2025, Accessed 14 Aug. 2025. "Savor." 2022, Accessed 13 Aug. 2025. "Savor Launches Butter Made without Agriculture, Showcasing the First of Its Revolutionary Sustainable Fats." 20 Mar. 2025, Accessed 13 Aug. 2025. "Savor One-Pager 2025." 2025, Accessed 13 Aug. 2025.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones says he has ‘no tumors' after stage 4 cancer diagnosis
DALLAS (KNWA) — Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones says he has 'no tumors' after dealing with stage 4 cancer and using an experimental trial drug. Jones, 82, said in an interview with the Dallas Morning News on Tuesday that he was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma in 2010 and started treatment shortly after. Roughly 105,000 new melanomas are expected to be diagnosed in the U.S. this year, according to the American Cancer Society, while about 8,400 are expected to die of the skin cancer. While the exact cause of every melanoma is unknown, the Mayo Clinic says most are brought on by exposure to ultraviolet light. Areas that are often exposed to the sun, like the skin on your arms and legs, typically serve as starting points for melanoma. Over the following decade, Jones underwent two lung surgeries and two lymph node surgeries, he told the newspaper. Treating melanoma will vary based on the severity of the case and whether it has spread. Options typically include surgery and therapies like radiation, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy, the Mayo Clinic explains. Jerry Jones attends the Premiere of Netflix's 'America's Team: The Gambler And His Cowboys' at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on August 11, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by) Early treatment can cure most skin cancers, the Cleveland Clinic notes, but advanced cases can be fatal. A 2021 National Library of Medicine article found that the five-year survival rate for stage 4 melanoma was 29.8 percent. 'I was saved by a fabulous treatment and great doctors and a real miracle [drug] called PD-1 [therapy],' Jones said. 'I went into trials for that PD-1 and it has been one of the great medicines.' The American Cancer Society says that PD-1 therapy is a 'checkpoint protein' that helps prevent immune cells called 'T cells' from attacking normal cells. Some cancer cells, however, have enough PD-L1, a protein found on some normal and cancer cells. Inhibitors like PD-1 are meant to help a patient's 'immune system to better find and attack the cancer cells, wherever they are in the body.' They can be used to respond to several types of cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. 'I now have no tumors,' Jones said Tuesday. ESPN reported that Jones talks about undergoing cancer treatments at MD Anderson in Houston in the upcoming Netflix documentary series 'America's Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys', but he does not reveal the details of the treatment. The docuseries discusses Jones' purchase of the Cowboys, Tom Landry's firing, Jimmy Johnson's hiring, and the rise of the 1990s Cowboys teams. Stories about Jones' life are interspersed throughout the series. The docuseries premieres on Aug. 19. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
