ASTRO Introduces Radiopharmaceutical Therapy Training Centers to Strengthen the Oncology Workforce
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has launched a national program establishing Authorized User (AU) Training Centers to help physicians become qualified to provide radiopharmaceutical therapy (RPT), an emerging cancer treatment that delivers targeted radiation directly to tumors while limiting exposure to healthy tissue. The initiative aims to expand patient access and increase the number of physicians certified to safely administer these therapies. The program is supported by an educational grant from Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.
As more radiopharmaceutical agents enter clinical practice, demand for trained clinicians is rising faster than current training pathways can accommodate, creating a barrier to broader adoption. The issue reflects a wider oncology workforce challenge cited in a recent report from the President’s Cancer Panel, which warned that growing demand for cancer care is outpacing access to appropriately trained clinicians nationwide.
“Radiopharmaceutical therapy is an important advance in precision oncology, but its impact depends on fostering a well-prepared, multidisciplinary workforce,” said Sameer Keole, MD, FASTRO, Chair of the ASTRO Board of Directors. “By launching these Authorized User Training Centers, ASTRO is helping remove a practical barrier that many physicians face and promote consistent, high-quality, and safe delivery of care for patients.”
Federal regulations require physicians seeking AU status for RPT to complete didactic education and participate in supervised patient cases, but access to those cases can be limited in areas where radiopharmaceutical treatments are not already offered. ASTRO’s AU Training Center Program is designed to address that gap by providing a structured, supported, no-cost pathway for eligible physicians to meet requirements and integrate RPT into their clinical practice.
The program combines expert mentorship, standardized education, and hands-on clinical training in multidisciplinary settings. Participants also receive free access to ASTRO’s “Beyond the Beam” online training series and additional educational resources to help implement safe, high-quality RPT programs. Applicants must be ASTRO members and meet Nuclear Regulatory Commission or Agreement State training requirements.
“This program will build a durable infrastructure for the future of radiopharmaceutical therapy and position radiation oncologists and our multidisciplinary partners to meet the growing demand for these treatments,” said ASTRO CEO Vivek S. Kavadi, MD, MBA, FASTRO. “By expanding access to high-quality training today, we are helping ensure that more patients nationwide can benefit from these therapies in the future.”