Radiopharmaceutical Therapy
Radiopharmaceutical therapy (RPT) is a type of personalized medicine that can improve treatment outcomes for patients with certain cancers. While RPT has limited indications currently, its potential applications across many cancer types has spawned growing interest in this modality. Continued investment in research and development in RPT has the potential to yield novel applications as single agents or combined with other drugs, ushering in a new era of tailored and effective cancer therapy. Radiation oncologists with expertise in oncology, radiobiology and physics are well-equipped to provide these treatments to appropriate patients and lead the path forward for the field. ASTRO has been actively developing resources for RPT for many years and continues to advocate for radiation oncology in many ways.
Publications
ASTRO publishes on various RPT topics to advance the understanding and application of therapy and promote multidisciplinary collaboration. These resources are intended for a wide audience including resident trainees, established clinicians and researchers. The dissemination of such information contributes to the collective knowledge base, fostering collaboration and encouraging further advancements in the realm of RPT, ultimately benefiting patients and shaping the future of radiation oncology.
- A Framework for Patient-Centered Pathways of Care for Radiopharmaceutical Therapy: An ASTRO Consensus Document
- ASTRO's Framework for Radiopharmaceutical Therapy Curriculum Development for Trainees
- RPT-themed ASTROnews issue
- Information on how to become an authorized user for RPT
- Development of an upcoming Safety White Paper for Radiopharmaceutical Therapy, anticipated in 2024
Radiopharmaceutical Therapy Roundtable
In early 2023, ASTRO convened RPT industry leaders and ASTRO members, including academic and community practice physicians, physician scientists and physicists for a strategic dialogue on the future of RPT. The meeting yielded key insights and priority areas to drive ASTRO’s activities, including the development of a Radiopharmaceutical Therapy Roundtable, allowing industry to cooperate on the strategic direction of ASTRO RPT activities. The first official RPT Roundtable meeting was held in early 2024, including representatives from eight corporate RPT Roundtable members who joined two dozen physicians and physicists from both academic and community practices. More information can be found here. Planning for the next RPT Roundtable meeting is underway and we expect more engagement and thoughtful discussion.
Education
In 2024, ASTRO offered a nine-part Curriculum Series: Beyond the Beam which provided comprehensive radiopharmaceutical therapy training within the context of existing radiation oncology training focusing on radiation biology, medical physics and clinical radiation oncology. The content was originally presented as a live webinar series, April 26 - July 5, 2024 and is now available in ASTRO Academy.
The RPT Masterclass, now called the Radiopharmaceutical Therapy Workshop, has been held each year at the ASTRO Annual Meeting since 2019 with over 500 attendees since its inception. The multi-year offering is a comprehensive educational initiative designed to provide an overview of RPT and cultivate expertise and leadership in the evolving landscape. Tailored for oncologists, physicists and nuclear medicine physicians, this session has provided an in-depth exploration of radiopharmaceutical science and applications. Experts and thought leaders in the field serve as speakers, offering valuable insights and guidance. This multi-year format ensures a sustained and progressive learning experience, enabling participants to stay abreast of the latest developments, foster innovation and contribute significantly to the advancement of RPT.Quality
ASTRO's APEx – Accreditation Program for Excellence has an RPT-specific designation. This new offering is designed to recognize your practice for staying at the cutting edge of radiation oncology while maintaining alignment with national standards. As treatments and technologies evolve, ASTRO remains committed to keeping APEx adaptable and in sync with the changing landscape. The introduction of RPT accreditation reflects this commitment, offering practices an opportunity to enhance their services and gain recognition among the community, field and pharmaceutical companies for their expertise. Interested practices may pursue this new designation as a stand-alone accreditation or combined with the larger APEx program. Contact APEx to learn more.
Contact Randi Kudner, ASTRO staff, with any questions.
