Dr. Howard Sandler, the ASTRO president, spotlights personalized patient care through advanced imaging and bespoke radiation therapies. He emphasizes strides in the PACE-B trial’s ultrashort regimens and champions workforce diversity and equitable patient representation in clinical trials. Sandler advises new oncologists to balance professional and personal lives for better care and outlines his presidency goals: diversifying clinical trials, revising reimbursement models, and promoting professional happiness.
In an engaging dialogue, the current president of ASTRO shines a light on enhancements in diagnostic imaging, strides in bespoke patient treatment, and pearls of wisdom for burgeoning radiation oncologists.
At ASTRO’s Annual Meeting in San Diego from October 1-4, Howard Sandler, MD, FASTRO, ascended as President of the American Society for Radiation Oncology. The preceding year saw him as the President-elect, playing a pivotal role in orchestrating the conference, bearing the theme “Pay It Forward: Partnering with Our Patients.”
Before and following the event, Dr. Sandler and I engaged in a comprehensive interview where he lent his insights on numerous topics. As the Ronald H. Bloom endowed Professor and Chair at Cedars-Sinai’s Radiation Oncology Department and an authority on genitourinary cancers, Sandler’s influence stretches over a decade-long chairmanship of clinical trials for prostate cancer under RTOG/NRG Oncology.
He has a laudable history of contribution to ASTRO and the larger oncology community, including his service on ASTRO’s Board of Directors and the Government Relations Council. A fervent advocate for clinical guidelines and scientific collaboration in prostate cancer, he also counsels the Association of Residents in Radiation Oncology.
Advancements in Radiation Oncology: An Update by Dr. Sandler
Dr. Sandler asserts the transition in radiation oncology toward patient-centric, personalized treatments as a defining advance over two decades. This evolution leverages superior imaging like MRI and PET scans to tailor radiation doses precisely to cancer tissues, improving outcomes and reducing unwanted effects.
A standout study from ASTRO 2023, the PACE-B trial, demonstrated that condensed radiation therapy is as effective and safe as longer regimens for certain prostate cancers, signaling a shift toward abbreviated treatment protocols.
Sandler’s ultimate aim for patient care is the preservation of normalcy post-treatment, with patients maintaining their lifestyle and seldom dwelling on their cancer experiences, marking a move towards more effective care.
ASTRO’s Leap Toward Health Equity and Diversity
ASTRO’s efforts in mirroring patient diversity within the radiation oncology workforce have been robust, with the formation of the new Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Council. Dr. Sandler acknowledges this progress while underscoring the continued pursuit of diversity in clinical trial participation, to extend the applicability of research findings across diverse patient groups. Jeff Michalski’s Presidential Symposium at ASTRO 2023 spotlighted this critical theme.
Looking Ahead: What Excites Oncology Professionals?
The horizon is bright with the potential for expanded use of targeted radiopharmaceuticals for cancer treatment and innovative ‘flash’ radiation therapy that could potentially offer treatments with reduced side effects. These promising avenues indicate a surge in precision medicine tailored to mitigate the disease with minimal patient burden.
Guidance for New Radiation Oncologists from Dr. Sandler
Dr. Sandler advises emerging specialists to strive for a balance between professional commitments and personal life. He believes that a well-rounded life philosophy is conducive to superior patient care.
Priorities During Dr. Sandler’s ASTRO Presidency
Dr. Sandler’s presidency is underscored by three primary goals: amplifying diversity in clinical trial recruitment, advocating for modified radiation oncologist reimbursement models to foster value-based care, and nurturing a balance and happiness in the professional lives of radiation oncologists to enhance patient care quality.
