The Lancet Oncology Commission Report on Radiotherapy and Theranostics, co-led by Professor Andrew Scott AM, La Trobe University and Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute NIF Node Director, and Professor May Abdel-Wahab MD, Director of the Division of Human Health at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), delves into the expanding field of theranostics on a global scale.
Established in 2022, the Commission investigates strategies to optimise patient care and health outcomes, proposing actions and investments to enhance access to these cancer therapies worldwide – including future innovation and underpinning research.
Theranostics is experiencing substantial growth, with a dramatic increase in new trials and companies developing novel treatments over the past five years. Projections for new therapies continue to rise, indicating a promising future. Australia stands to be a world leader in theranostics.
A key note in the paper is the harmonisation of instruments and the credentialling of sites and scanners used in imaging studies. Standardising data sharing across institutions and countries enhances collaboration and integration, leading to more robust and reliable research outcomes – a major goal of the National Imaging Facility.
The paper also addresses global challenges in workforce and training, emphasising the critical need for radiochemists and radiopharmacists, even in high-income countries.
The research aligns with NIF’s focus on molecular imaging and radiochemistry, highlighting significant opportunities and challenges in this innovative area.
