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Perspectives from a Physicist, Biologist and Clinician: Unrealized Opportunities in Spatially Fractionated Radiotherapy
We have observed the evolution of spatially fractionated radiotherapy (SFRT) primarily to manage metastatic cancer patients in the palliative care setting. Given recent advances in how SFRT can be delivered, can this therapeutic modality be optimized beyond the palliative care setting? This would allow health care providers an opportunity to advance this treatment into the upfront setting and in combination with targeted or immunotherapy. This panel brings together a physicist, a biologist and a clinician, who provide an overview of the field from their unique perspective as well as advancing research and future perspectives where SFRT is moving. First, we have the physicist discuss the differences between SFRT vs. conventional and how the implementation of proton and FLASH may be utilized with SFRT. Next, we have a biologist provide their perspective on the biologic advantages of SFRT and how it may be used to enhance the immune response and its impact on normal tissue toxicity. Finally, the clinician provides perspectives on how this technology could be employed in the palliative setting, in management of oligometastatic disease, with cancer re-irradiation and in rationale combination with therapy. Finally, a discussant pulls all three perspectives from the physicist, biologist and clinician together for the learners.
Topics:
- A Physics Perspective on SFRT
Yuting Lin, PhD, DABR - Radiobiology of SFRT: The Knowns and Unknowns
Yolanda Prezado, PhD, HDR - Clinical Opportunities and Challenges with Spatially Fractionated Radiotherapy
Daniel J. Ma, MD - Bringing It All Together: A Physicist, A Biologist and A Clinician Walk Into a Vault
Gregory N. Gan, MD, PhD - Q and A
Gregory N. Gan, MD, PhD - Moderator
Full Panel
This activity is available from September 9, 2025, through 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on September 8, 2027.
The content was originally presented and recorded at the 2024 ASTRO Annual Meeting.
Target Audience
The activity is designed to meet the interests of medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, surgeons, physicists, radiation biologists and residents.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:
- Understand the differences between types of SFRT (grid, lattice, minibeam, microbeam) and how emerging technologies like FLASH and proton can be used with SFRT.
- Understand how SFRT can impact the tumor microenvironment and/or how we might rationally combine novel therapies with SFRT.
- Understand what are the clinical applications for SFRT and the clinical literature surrounding its use for management in palliation and re-irradiation; potential trial opportunities.
- Gregory N. Gan, MD, PhD, is employed by The University of Kansas Medical Center. Dr. Gan receives grant/research funding from Varian Inc, Aclaris Therapeutics and Genentech-Roche.
- Yuting Lin, PhD, DABR, is employed by The University of Kansas Medical Center.
- Yolanda Prezado, PhD, HDR, is employed by Institute Curie, Universite PSL. Dr. Prezado serves as Vice Chair of Task Group 359 with the AAPM.
- Daniel J. Ma, MD, is employed by Mayo Clinic Rochester. Dr. Ma owns intellectual property with EXACT Sciences, InSitu Biologics and CurrentHealth.
The person(s) above served as the developer(s) of this activity. Additionally, the ASTRO Education Committee had control over the content of this activity. All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Available Credit
- 1.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education for physicians. ASTRO designates this Enduring material for a maximum of 1.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
- 1.25 Certificate of AttendanceThis activity was designated for 1.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.
Price
Course Fees:
ASTRO members must log in to the ASTRO website to view and receive the member rate.
- Nonmember: $149
- Member: $99
- Member-in-Training: $49
- Student/Graduate Student/PGY-1 Member: $49
- Postdoctoral Fellow Member: $49
If you are an ASTRO member from a low or lower-middle income country, as identified by the World Bank, you can receive a 50% discount off your corresponding registration for this activity. Please email [email protected] to inquire about the discount.
Policies:
No refunds, extensions, or substitutions will be made for those participants who, for any reason, have not completed the activity by the expiration date.
Participants using ASTRO Academy activities to satisfy the requirement of a Continuing Certification (MOC) program should verify the credit number and type and availability dates of any activity before making a purchase. No refunds, extensions, or substitutions will be made for participants who have purchased activities that do not align with their MOC requirement.
The activity and its materials will only be available on the ASTRO website until September 8, 2027, regardless of purchase date. At the expiration of the activity, participants will no longer have access to the activity or its materials. ASTRO reserves the right to remove an activity before its expiration date.
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