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# Few Cancer Drugs to Work with Radiation: FDA Staff
- URL: https://www.fdaweb.com/few-cancer-drugs-to-work-with-radiation-fda-staff/
- Published: 2017-04-13T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-14T22:17:40.000Z
- Author: David McFarland
- Tags: Drugs, #legacy-id-D5138442

Staffers in the CDER Office of Hematology and Oncology Products say that of more than 250 new drug and biologic applications approved by the office since 2006, only one was approved for use with radiation. Writing in an *International Journal of Radiation Oncology* [commentary](http://www.redjournal.org/article/S0360-3016%2817%2930034-2/abstract?ref=fdaweb.com) (subscription or purchase required), the staffers say that despite the fact that radiation therapy continues to be a mainstay of both curative and palliative cancer therapies, there has been a persistent lack of drug development using potential synergies between radiation and targeted systemic therapies.

The authors say the reasons for the discrepancy are complex and multifactorial, including limited regulatory precedent for drugs developed specifically for use with radiation therapy, and perceived challenges in trial design with radiation.

The article looks at the existing regulatory framework in which cancer drugs may be developed in combination with radiation therapy and describes the mechanisms in place for sponsors to obtain feedback from FDA during drug development.