Abstract: A method of treating a patient with a tumor, and kits (200) for such treatment. The method includes administering, to the patient, a substance (204) which activates cytoplasmatic sensors for intracellular pathogen in the tumor and treating the tumor with intra-tumoral alpha-emitter radiotherapy within two weeks of administering the substance which activates cytoplasmatic sensors for intracellular pathogen in the tumor.

Abstract: A method for treating a tumor, comprising identifying a tumor as a prostate cancer tumor and implanting in the tumor identified as a prostate cancer tumor, at least one diffusing alpha-emitter radiation therapy (DaRT) source with a radon release rate between 1.8 and 2.2 microcurie, per centimeter length.

Abstract: A radiotherapy source includes a base and radioactive atoms of one or more isotopes, which are attached to the base. The radioactive atoms have a radon release rate of at least 0.5 micro-Curie (?Ci) per centimeter length, and emit beta radiation achieving at 2 millimeters from the base an asymptotic dose of at least 10 Gy. Additionally, the ratio between the beta radiation asymptotic dose at a distance of 2 millimeters from the device to the radon release rate, is greater than 15 Gy/(microcurie/cm).

Abstract: A method of generating an emulsion for treating a patient. The method includes generating a water-based solution carrying an agent which turns into a hydrogel by addition of calcium ions. Radium radionuclides are added to the water-based solution in a concentration sufficient for radiotherapy. After adding the radium to the water-based solution, the water-based solution is mixed with an emulsifier and an oil.

Abstract: A method for treating a tumor, comprising identifying a tumor as a prostate cancer tumor and implanting in the tumor identified as a prostate cancer tumor, as least one diffusing alpha-emitter radiation therapy (DaRT) source (21) with a suitable radon release rate and for a given duration, such that the source (21) provides during the given duration a cumulated activity of released radon between 7 Mega becquerel (MBq) hour and 14.7 MBq hour, per centimeter length. Each DaRT source is separated from an adjacent DaRT source in the array by less than 3.9 millimeters.

Abstract: A method for treating a tumor, comprising identifying a tumor as a lung cancer tumor and implanting in the tumor identified as a lung cancer tumor, at least one diffusing alpha-emitter radiation therapy (DaRT) source with a suitable radon release rate and for a given duration, such that the source provides during the given duration a cumulated activity of released radon between 5 Mega becquerel (MBq) hour and 11.3 MBq hour, per centimeter length.

Abstract: A radiotherapy source includes a base suitable for radiotherapy, a manganese oxide coating over the base, and radium atoms attached to the manganese oxide coating. The manganese oxide coating may comprise manganese dioxide (MnO2), manganese (II) oxide (MnO), manganese (II,III) oxide (Mn3O4) and/or other manganese oxides. Methods for producing radiotherapy sources are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of accumulating radium radionuclides, comprising providing a first solution including thorium radionuclides and a thorium-binding extractant, wherein the first solution does not bind to radium, allowing a portion of the thorium radionuclides in the first solution to decay into radium atoms and collecting radium atoms resulting from the decay. The collected radium atoms may be included in a solution in which brachytherapy sources are dipped, in a manner which collects the radium atoms onto the source.

Abstract: An interstitial source including a base suitable for implanting in a tumor and radioactive atoms of one or more isotopes, which are attached to the base. The radioactive atoms have a radon release rate of at least 0.5 micro-Curie (?Ci) per centimeter length, and emit beta radiation achieving at 2 millimeters from the base an asymptotic dose of at least 10 Gy. Additionally, the ratio between the beta radiation asymptotic dose at a distance of 2 millimeters from the device, to the radon release rate, is greater than 15 Gy/(microcurie/cm).

Abstract: A brachytherapy implant including a hollow biocompatible wire, and at least one tubular seed defining an internal channel. Radioactive particles for radiotherapy treatment are placed on the at least one tubular seed. The tubular seed is mounted externally on the hollow biocompatible wire. Possibly, the hollow biocompatible wire defines an internal channel having a diameter of less than 0.5 millimeters. Optionally, the hollow biocompatible wire is not biodegradable. The at least one tubular seed may be located in the middle of the hollow biocompatible wire, at least 10 millimeters from both ends of the hollow biocompatible wire.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a support, including an outer surface and configured for insertion into a body of a subject. The apparatus further includes multiple atoms of a radionuclide, which radioactively decays to produce a daughter radionuclide, coupled to the outer surface, and a layer of a polymer, which covers the atoms so as to protect the atoms from being washed away, yet allows diffusion of the daughter radionuclide through the layer. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A method for treating a tumor, comprising identifying a tumor as a colorectal cancer tumor and implanting in the tumor identified as a colorectal cancer tumor, as least one diffusing alpha-emitter radiation therapy (DaRT) source with a suitable radon release rate and for a given duration, such that the source provides during the given duration a cumulated activity of released radon between 3.7 Mega becquerel (MBq) hour and 9.2 MBq hour, per centimeter length.

Abstract: A method for treating a tumor, comprising identifying a tumor as a melanoma tumor and implanting in the tumor identified as a melanoma tumor, as least one diffusing alpha-emitter radiation therapy (DaRT) source with a suitable radon release rate and for a given duration, such that the source provides during the given duration a cumulated activity of released radon between 3.2 Mega becquerel (MBq) hour and 7.5 MBq hour, per centimeter length.

Abstract: A device for implanting radiotherapy seeds in a tumor. The device includes a delivery tube having a distal end designed to enter the tumor, and defining an internal channel and an elongate applicator carrying one or more radiotherapy seeds each having a length of at least 1 millimeter, the applicator passing through the internal channel of the delivery tube. When a distal end of the elongate applicator is near a distal end of the delivery tube, it assumes an angle relative to an axis of the delivery tube, such that seeds ejected from the elongate applicator enter the tumor at an angle relative to the axis of the delivery tube.

Abstract: A method for treating a tumor, comprising identifying a tumor as a pancreatic cancer tumor and implanting in the tumor identified as a pancreatic cancer tumor, as least one diffusing alpha-emitter radiation therapy (DaRT) source (21) with a suitable radon release rate and for a given duration, such that the source (21) provides during the given duration a cumulated activity of released radon between 5.6 Mega becquerel (MBq) hour and 11.6 MBq hour, per centimeter length.

Abstract: A method for treating a tumor, comprising identifying a tumor as a breast cancer tumor and implanting in the tumor identified as a breast cancer tumor, as least one diffusing alpha-emitter radiation therapy (DaRT) source with a suitable radon release rate and for a given duration, such that the source provides during the given duration a cumulated activity of released radon between 3.5 Mega becquerel (MBq) hour and 9 MBq hour, per centimeter length.

Abstract: A method for treating a tumor, comprising identifying a tumor as a glioblastoma tumor and implanting in the tumor identified as a glioblastoma tumor, as least one diffusing alpha-emitter radiation therapy (DaRT) source with a suitable radon release rate and for a given duration, such that the source provides during the given duration a cumulated activity of released radon between 6.5 Mega becquerel (MBq) hour and 14.3 MBq hour, per centimeter length.

Abstract: A method for treating a cancerous tumor, by implanting in the cancerous tumor at least one diffusing alpha-emitter radiation therapy (DaRT) source with a suitable radon release rate and for a given duration, such that the source provides during the given duration a cumulated activity of released radon of at least 10 Mega becquerel (MBq) hour, per centimeter length. Optionally, the sources are implanted in an array of sources, each source separated from its neighboring sources in the array by not more than 4.5 millimeters.

Abstract: A casing holding one or more brachytherapy seeds for implanting in a patient, which in turn carry atoms of a radioactive element for radiotherapy treatment is filled with a viscous liquid in a manner preventing radiation from the one or more brachytherapy seeds from exiting the casing. The casing may include a metallic or non-metallic elongated tube configured for insertion into tissue or a vial for delivering a seed to a physician for insertion into a needle.

Abstract: A radiotherapy source for treating a tumor, which includes a flexible core impermeable to radon and a polymer coating on the flexible core. The polymer coating is impermeable to radium, and allows diffusion of radon therethrough. The radiotherapy source also includes alpha-emitting radium radionuclides in the polymer coating or between the flexible core and the polymer coating.