Introduction to Radiopharmaceutical Therapy

Radiopharmaceutical therapy (RPT) is a precision medicine modality in which administered radionuclides are preferentially taken up by target cells or nearby tissues and emit radiation from within the patient, leading to targeted cell death. Many radiopharmaceuticals are currently FDA-approved with multiple others under investigation. This manuscript will give a broad introduction to RPT including how to become an authorized user, patient evaluation pre- and post-treatment, dosing strategies, and the physical spaces needed to run an RPT clinic. RPT may seem daunting at first but is feasible. As approved radiopharmaceuticals and RPT uses increase, patients will benefit from greater access to these new and evolving treatment options.