Background
What are the potential barriers to integration of radioligand therapy into cancer care?
Low awareness and understanding
Limited professional capacity, training and workforce planning
Unclear models of care
Inadequate physical capacity and resourcing in hospitals
Evolving legislation, regulation and policy
Lack of data and research
The way forward
Barrier | Action needed |
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Low awareness and understanding | • Increase awareness of radioligand therapy and the role of nuclear medicine among decision-makers, people with cancer and the clinical cancer community. |
Limited professional capacity, training and workforce planning | • Harmonise education and training standards across Europe for nuclear medicine specialists and all members of the multidisciplinary cancer team. • Ensure that nuclear medicine specialists have adequate capacity to participate in multidisciplinary cancer care processes. |
Unclear models of care | • Develop clear processes and patient pathways for care in each national context. |
Inadequate physical capacity and resourcing in hospitals | • Ensure adequate hospital capacity and resources for delivery of radioligand therapy to meet current and future demand. |
Evolving legislation, regulation and policy | • Incorporate radioligand therapy into national, regional and local cancer plans. • Establish clear, consistent regulatory frameworks for the use of radioisotopes spanning approval, funding and reimbursement. • Ensure continued supply and appropriate disposal policies. |
Lack of data and research | • Invest in real-world data on radioligand therapy to better understand patient outcomes and cost-effectiveness. • Identify and share best practices to optimise and standardise care. |
Conclusions
Acknowledgments
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Dr. Annibale Versari, Director, Oncology and Advanced Technologies, ASMN Reggio Emilia, Italy
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Dr. Harald Lahner, Deputy Director, ENETS Center of Excellence, University Hospital Essen, Germany
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Dr. John Buscombe, President, British Nuclear Medicine Society, UK
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Dr. Valentina Ambrosini, Associate Professor of Nuclear Medicine, University of Bologna, Italy
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Dr. Josep Maria Borras, Director, Catalonia Cancer Strategy, Spain