EFOMP Special Interest Group for “Radionuclide Internal Dosimetry”
SIG_FRID Aim
Therapeutic applications in nuclear medicine are advancing as rapidly as never seen before, driven by an expanding array of radiolabelled vectors—including small molecules, peptides, and monoclonal antibodies—as well as innovative medical devices such as radioactive microspheres and other particles. A diverse spectrum of radionuclides is being explored, encompassing not only beta emitters but also alpha and Auger electron emitters, each offering distinct radiobiological properties. This diversity presents both exciting opportunities and complex challenges in accurately characterizing the radiation dose delivered to patients. Notably, recent technological and scientific advancements have significantly improved the accuracy and reliability of absorbed dose calculations, enhancing the precision of personalized treatment planning.
An increasing number of patients stand to benefit from therapeutic applications in nuclear medicine , as in the last decades, new agents were approved for mid-gut neuroendocrine tumours, liver primary and metastatic diseases, and prostate cancer. Moreover, novel agents continue to progress through early-phase clinical trials for a range of malignancies. Despite this momentum, the implementation of patient-specific dosimetry in therapeutic nuclear medicine remains, surprisingly, a subject of ongoing debate. This persists even in the face of clear regulatory mandates—such as those outlined in the Basic Safety Standards (Council Directive EURATOM 2013/59)—which stipulate the necessity of individualized treatment planning and verification of delivered absorbed dose. Nevertheless, these practices are still infrequently integrated into routine clinical workflows.
The responsibilities of the Medical Physics Expert (MPE) in nuclear medicine dosimetry were outlined in EFOMP Policy Statement No. 16. Nevertheless, there remains a significant shortage of MPEs with the expertise required to implement and conduct clinical dosimetry effectively. This scarcity is further exacerbated within the European Union, where the overall deficit in medical physics resources is particularly acute in the field of radiopharmaceutical therapy dosimetry. These critical issues were addressed in the:
“EFOMP policy statement n°19: Dosimetry in nuclear medicine therapy – Molecular radiotherapy”.
The Special Interest Group for Radionuclide Internal Dosimetry (SIG_FRID) aims to establish a dedicated network of medical physicists actively engaged in, or with a strong interest in dosimetry for radiopharmaceutical therapy. The group seeks to address the growing need for collaboration, education, research, and professional exchange in this evolving and increasingly important domain of medical physics applied to nuclear medicine.
The SIG_FRID was officially established in February 2021, under the supervision of the EFOMP Science Committee (the parent committee). The kick-off meeting took place on March 8th of the same year. Designed as a long-term initiative, SIG_FRID operates with a three-year reapproval cycle to ensure sustained relevance and alignment with evolving scientific and professional needs.
SIG_FRID Priorities
The priority list (revised in March/April 2024) includes:
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Organisation of scientific meetings
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Scientific meetings on dosimetry-related topics
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Clinical dosimetry case reports
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Management of SIG Focus Groups (FGs):
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FGs can be proposed by SIG_FRID members
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They have a limited duration and an quantifiable objective
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Proposals must be sent to the Steering Committee
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Teaching/Education/Dissemination
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Creation of webinars
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Contribute to ECMP educational programme
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Generation of a dosimetry resource database
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Contribution to the revised Core Curriculum in collaboration with the EANM
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Communication
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Publication of an internal monthly newsletter
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Contribution to the quarterly EMP News
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Instant messaging via Slack
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Reporting on European grant applications
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Professional/Regulatory/Economic matters
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Raising public awareness of molecular radiotherapy dosimetry
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Promoting EFOMP Policy Statement 19
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Promoting the final report of the SIMPLERAD EU project
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Establishing links with regulatory bodies
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In addition, the SIG_FRID organised the first Symposium on Molecular Radiotherapy Dosimetry: The future of theragnostics in Athens on Nov 9th-11th 2023. The report was published in EJMP and presentations are available on EFOMP eLearning platform.
After the success of the first edition, the Second Symposium on Molecular Radiotherapy Dosimetry: The future of theragnostics will take place in Athens, on November 13th-15th 2025.
SIG_FRID Focus Groups
SIG members can promote and participate in different Focus Groups (FGs). Currently there are 7 active FGs:
FG2: Treatment Planning Software Benchmarking (coordinator L Strigari)
FG3: Absorbed Dose Effect Relationships (coordinator L Strigari)
FG4: Voxel S Value Generation and Benchmarking (coordinator J Brosch-Lenz )
FG5: DICOM Standard for molecular radiotherapy dosimetry (coordinator M Bardiès)
FG6: Accuracy of therapeutic activities for nuclear medicine applications(S Gnesin)
FG7: MRT dosimetry education (K Sjögreen Gleisner)
FG8: Simplified dosimetry (D Hardiansyah & O Ivashchenko)
Other FGs can be proposed by any SIG member using a simple procedure.
SIG_FRID governance
The Steering Committee members elected on March 2024 for a 3-year term are:
- Manuel Bardiès, Montpellier, France
- Julia Franziska Brosch-Lenz, Munich, Germany
- Carlo Chiesa, Milan, Italy
- Gerhard Glatting, Ulm, Germany
- Silvano Gnesin, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Pablo Minguez Gabiña, Bilbao, Spain
- Steffie Peters, Rabboud, Netherland
- Katarina Sjögreen Gleisner, Lund, Sweden
- Lidia Strigari, Bologna, Italy
Board
- Convener: Manuel Bardiès, Montpellier, France
- Vice Convener: Pablo Minguez Gabiña, Bilbao, Spain
- Secretary: Katarina Sjögreen Gleisner, Lund, Sweden
SIG_FRID Application Procedure
The current (April 2025) number of members is 253, and it is still growing!
EFOMP members (members of their National Member Organisation), Individual Associate Members (including physicists outside the EU) or EFOMP Company members (company staff) can apply to become a SIG_FRID members.
NMOs and EFOMP-affiliated organisations can also nominate representatives.
Applications can be made via this form and are reviewed on a regular basis.