The National Association for Proton Therapy (NAPT) is getting ready for its annual National Proton Conference, taking place April 26 through 28 in Philadelphia.

In preparation for the event, HealthCare Business News sat down with Jennifer Maggiore, the organization’s executive director, to learn more about the state of proton therapy and what attendees can expect at this year’s conference.

HCB News: How has the landscape of proton therapy evolved since you first became involved in the field?

Jennifer Maggiore: The landscape of proton therapy has changed dramatically since its early days. Initially, proton therapy was primarily offered at a handful of large, stand-alone centers treating a limited range of tumors. Today, there is a greater emphasis on research-driven advancements, with more academic medical centers not only providing proton therapy but actively contributing to clinical trials and multi-institutional studies.

Another major shift is in the types of tumors being treated. Today, proton therapy is increasingly used for complex cases, including head and neck cancers, reirradiation, and certain breast, lung, and gastrointestinal malignancies. This evolution is driven by emerging clinical data, improved technology, and growing recognition of proton therapy’s ability to reduce toxicity compared to conventional radiation.
Additionally, the expansion of proton therapy has taken a new direction. Rather than exclusively building large, stand-alone centers, the trend has shifted toward smaller, single-room systems that are integrated into existing health systems. These facilities often form collaborative models between academic institutions and outpatient providers, improving accessibility and sustainability.

This transformation is reflected in the growth of NAPT, which has expanded from 30 to 49 member institutions in the past five years, underscoring the field’s progress and increasing adoption of proton therapy as an essential component of modern cancer care.

HCB News: There’s been a lot of discussion about expanding access to proton therapy—what steps are being taken to make treatment more widely available?
JM: There is a strong commitment within the proton therapy community to expand access and ensure that more patients can benefit from this technology. Over the past few years, we’ve seen new centers strategically opening in regions that previously lacked access, helping to close geographic gaps. For example, Penn Medicine has played a leadership role by leveraging its expertise to establish regional proton therapy centers, such as those in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and at Virtua in South New Jersey.

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