Dr. Tadashi Watabe: Advancing Targeted Alpha Therapy and Theranostics in Japan
Bridging Clinical Innovation and Global Collaboration
Dr. Tadashi Watabe is an Associate Professor in the Department of Radiology at Osaka University and a Medical Doctor at Osaka University Hospital, where he leads pioneering research and clinical translation in radiomolecular precision oncology.
He is internationally recognized as a key figure in advancing targeted alpha therapy (TAT) using astatine-211 (^211At) and as Organizing Chair of the 9th Theranostics World Congress (TWC2027) in Osaka, Japan.
At Osaka University Hospital, Dr. Watabe serves as Principal Investigator (PI) for several physician-initiated clinical trials, including the Alpha-T1 trial for radioiodine-refractory thyroid cancer ([^211At]NaAt; NCT05275946) and the Alpha-PS1 trial targeting prostate-specific membrane antigen ([^211At]PSMA-5; NCT06441994).
He also leads studies on [^18F]FAPI-74 and [^18F]PSMA-1007 PET imaging, expanding diagnostic and therapeutic opportunities in nuclear oncology.
Research Leadership and Global Impact
With over 100 peer-reviewed publications, Dr. Watabe’s research focuses on the preclinical and clinical development of targeted alpha therapies using ^211At and ^225Ac, as well as theranostic radiopharmaceuticals for prostate, thyroid, and other solid tumors.
His expertise spans:
- Targeted alpha therapy (TAT) using ^211At and ^225Ac
- Fibroblast Activation Protein Inhibitors (FAPI)
- PSMA and LAT1 theranostics
- Translational imaging and dosimetry
Commitment to Education and International Cooperation
n 2024, Dr. Watabe and his team at Osaka University Hospital joined the ICPO Foundation’s Academy for Theranostics, receiving industry-funded stipends to support advanced training in radiomolecular precision oncology.
As an active member of the ICPO community, Dr. Watabe contributes to global initiatives promoting knowledge transfer and capacity building in theranostics — including international congresses and the workshop “Translational Nuclear Medicine: Theory and Practice”, organized in collaboration with Prof. Frederik Giesel (University Hospital Düsseldorf).
Dr. Watabe’s work embodies the spirit of collaboration between science, clinic, and education. By integrating innovation in targeted therapy with international cooperation, he plays a decisive role in shaping the future of theranostics in Japan and worldwide.