Radiation therapy (RT) is a cornerstone treatment for cancer and frequently employed in clinical trials to explore novel systemic therapy agents in both curative and non-curative settings. The sophistication of RT provides patients with access to treatments with high levels of accuracy and precision as well as reduced toxicity, if employed correctly. However, the inherent complexity of RT planning and delivery requires rigorous quality assurance to reduce practice variability, minimize suboptimal treatments, and ensure safe and effective patient care.

This white paper emphasizes the crucial role of radiation therapy (RT) in cancer treatment and its significance in oncology clinical trials, reviews the sources of RT variability impacting outcomes and study results, and outlines a quality management program for its implementation in pharmaceutical trials.