A researcher at Oak Ridge National Laboratory is making notable advances in the fight against cancer by improving the separation processes for cancer-fighting radioisotopes. According to Oak Ridge National Laboratory's recent news release, Dr. Kankanamalage joined the institution in 2023 and has since then been actively involved in enhancing how radioisotopes are isolated after production. These materials, essential for medical treatments such as cancer therapies and diagnostic tests, are intricately produced and require delicate handling due to their quick decay rates.
In her role, Kankanamalage became an expert in thorium-228, actinium-227, and radium-226, all of which hold prominence in medical applications. Joined by an in-house team at ORNL, her work has been fundamental, funded by the DOE’s Office of Isotope R&D and Production. Researchers from all over the world tap into these resources via the National Isotope Development Center for critical medical uses, sharing the knowledge and materials necessary for life-saving applications. "I hope my research will advance our understanding of radioisotope separation methods that could directly impact the availability of medical radioisotopes within a reasonable amount of time," Kankanamalage told Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Holding personal ties to the impact of cancer, Kankanamalage's resolve stems from a childhood promise made to her mother in the wake of a family tragedy. Despite initially diverging from medical research in favor of inorganic chemistry, her career trajectory shifted following her doctoral graduation from Wayne State University. Having taken a postdoctoral position at the University of Missouri Research Reactor related to radiochemistry, she found that her chemistry expertise could be tied into combatting cancer, thereby aligning with her childhood vow.
Having previously conducted postdoctoral work at Argonne National Laboratory and serving as a staff scientist at Brookhaven National Laboratory, Kankanamalage values her position at ORNL. Through her collaborative efforts, she has contributed to advancing the production of Actinium-225, critical in pioneering cancer treatments. Once part of the DOE-sponsored Actinium-225 Tri-Lab effort, she along with teams from ORNL, Brookhaven, and Los Alamos National Laboratory were awarded DOE’s 2024 Secretary Honor Achievement Award. This recognition was for their work in "increasing the global availability of this important radioisotope," which has been notably sought after in the medical community, Kankanamalage told Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Implications of her work extend beyond just one radioisotope. While at Argonne, Kankanamalage played a significant role in the establishment of production and separation processes for scandium-47. This isotope is utilized not only for imaging but could also serve as a theranostic—combining therapy and diagnostics—for targeted cancer treatments. Her ongoing research has fulfilled a personal and professional promise, delighting her as well as the scientific community by inching closer towards more accessible treatments for cancer patients. "And I get to tell my mom I am doing research on making radioisotopes to treat cancer," Kankanamalage shared, proudly concluding, "No broken promises!"
