A radioactive drug - which behaves in the same way as the substance used to kill Russian ex-spy Alexander Litvinenko - could be used by the NHS to treat prostate cancer patients.
A decision by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) means Radium-223 dichloride could be made available by December.
The drug targets tumours that have spread to the bones and blasts them with alpha particles.
Marketed as Xofigo, the drug emits the same type of radiation as polonium-210, which was used in the assassination of former KGB agent Mr Litvinenko on British soil in 2006.
Alexander Litvinenko died in 2006
In high doses, alpha particles destroy the body's tissues and organs, but, when used in a carefully targeted and controlled way, they can also wipe out cancer.It is estimated that the average cost of a course of treatment is £24,240 and final guidance is expected to be published at the end of September.
Professor Carole Longson, director of the centre for health technology evaluation at Nice, said: "Patients with prostate cancer will surely benefit from this drug being available for routine NHS use."
Heather Blake, director of support and influencing at Prostate Cancer UK said: "Today's announcement is an important victory for men whose prostate cancer has spread to the bone and are unable to have chemotherapy."
Professor Paul Workman, chief executive of The Institute of Cancer Research, London, said: "This is an exciting and innovative example of a smarter, kinder treatment - specifically targeting bone metastasis and prolonging survival, while reducing the pain and discomfort brought about by bone tumours and improving quality of life."
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