SA–CME
REVIEW
Digital therapeutics (DTx) are
defined by the Digital Therapeutics
Alliance as “evidence-based therapeu-
tic interventions driven by high-qual-
ity soſtware programs to prevent,
manage, or treat a medical disorder
or disease” (DTxalliance.org). In
short, there are 2 requirements to
be considered a DTx. First, it must
be soſtware – oſten categorized as
soſtware as a medical device (SaMD).
Briefly, hardware refers to physical
devices such as phones, computers,
tablets or sensors, whereas soſtware
refers to a collection of instructions
telling hardware what to do. Second,
since DTx are designed to offer ther-
apeutic value, they must be approved
for use by recognized regulatory
agencies such as the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA). Digital sensors,
wearable devices, virtual reality (VR)
systems with therapeutic intent, and
artificial intelligence (AI) devices are
all examples of DTx.
2
For SaMD to enter the public
markets, it must either obtain de
novo premarket approval (PMA)
or qualify for 510(k) clearance.
Devices with 510(k) clearance can
forgo clinical trials and testing if the
device is “substantially equivalent”
to something already on the market.
For de novo PMA, clinical trials must
show adequate safety, efficacy, and
be either equivalent or superior
to the standard of care. Even aſter
FDA approval, postmarket surveil-
lance must be performed to identify
long-term side effects; these roughly
The Emerging Role of Digital Therapeutics
in Medical, Surgical and Radiation Oncology
Will Jin, MD;
1*
Santosh Mohan, MMCi, COPHIMS;
2
Matt Adams, BS;
3
Sarah Hoffe, MD;
4
Edmondo Robinson, MD, MBA
2
DETAILS ON PAGE 8
Affiliations:
1
Department of Radiation Oncology, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami
Health Systems and Jackson Memorial Hospital.
2
Digital Innovation, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL.
3
Lake
Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bradenton FL.
4
GI Radiation Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center
Corresponding Author: Will Jin, MD, Department of Radiation Oncology, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer
Center, University of Miami Health Systems and Jackson Memorial Hospital, 1475 NW 12th Ave., Miami, FL
33136 (wxj123@miami.edu)
Disclosure: Dr. Jin has a patent pending for US Patent #17091084, Real-time Ultrasound Imaging Overlay Using
Augmented Reality, filed November 9, 2011, and has received a Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center Travel
Grant 2022 and Committee of Interns and Residents Professional Development Grant 2022. No other authors
have no conflicts of interest to disclose. None of the authors received outside funding for the production of this
original manuscript and no part of this article has been previously published elsewhere.
Abstract
Digital therapeutics (DTx) are software interventions of therapeutic value supported by scientific evidence
to prevent, manage, and treat a broad spectrum of physical, mental and behavioral conditions. Current data
supports integration in the setting of chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, opioid de-
pendence, and insomnia. Recent clinical studies have shown emergence of DTx as potential solutions in the
cancer care continuum to improve medication adherence, chemotherapy tolerance, and even overall survival.
In addition, evidence suggests that these digital interventions may have a significant impact on lowering the
cost of health care for current patients and cancer survivors. Given the potential financial toxicity for oncolo-
gy patients, these modalities, such as digital patient-reported outcomes (PROs), are being actively investigat-
ed to determine the economic benefits as well. As DTx emerge in medical, surgical and radiation oncology,
further studies are needed to ensure the needs of patients are met with respect to digital literacy and equity.
In this review, we will explore these new modalities and the spectrum of possible future benefits.
Keywords: Digital therapeutics, digital health, patient-reported outcomes, quality of life, overall survival,
software as a medical device, virtual reality
©Anderson Publishing, Ltd. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without express written permission is strictly prohibited..
Applied Radiation Oncology 9 June 2022