Jan. 29, 2026 — The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has launched a national program creating Authorized User (AU) Training Centers for physicians wanting to provide radiopharmaceutical therapy. This initiative is designed to expand patient access and increase the number of physicians certified to provide the safe delivery of these emerging cancer treatments. The program is supported by an educational grant from Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp.
Radiopharmaceutical therapy is a specialized form of cancer medicine where targeted radiation is delivered directly to tumors while limiting exposure to surrounding healthy tissue. As an increasing number of new radiopharmaceutical agents enter clinical practice, demand for qualified clinicians is growing faster than existing training options can meet, creating a barrier to broader adoption. This challenge reflects a broader cancer workforce issue highlighted 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 Authorized User status for radiopharmaceutical therapy (RPT) to complete didactic training and participate in supervised patient cases, but physicians’ access to these cases can be limited if no other providers in the area are providing radiopharmaceutical treatments. ASTRO’s AU Training Center Program provides a structured, supported and no-cost pathway for eligible physicians to meet these requirements and integrate radiopharmaceutical therapy into their clinical practice.
Through a combination of expert mentorship, standardized education and hands-on clinical experience, program attendees learn directly from experienced radiation oncology clinicians in a training environment that supports multidisciplinary collaboration. Participants also receive free access to ASTRO’s online “Beyond the Beam” training series and other educational resources to support the implementation of safe, high-quality RPT programs. Eligible applicants must be ASTRO members and complete Nuclear Regulatory Commission or Agreement State training requirements.
ASTRO’s AU Training Center Program is designed to ensure that the rapid growth of radiopharmaceutical therapy is matched by corresponding workforce development and a continued focus on patient safety and quality care. The program seeks to enable the delivery of RPT at every cancer clinic where radiation therapy is available, ensuring broad patient access to these novel therapies.
“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.”
Additional information about the AU Training Center Program, including participating centers and application details, is available online.
May 06, 2026 
