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Professor Craig Underhill and Rachael Babin break down the key oncology changes from the April 2026 PBS update.

This month we run through six fresh PBS listings and policy changes that affect Australian oncology and haematology practice, from ROS1-positive non small cell lung cancer to perioperative immunotherapy and late-line blood cancer options.

We focus on who benefits, what the key trial signals are and what clinicians need to monitor so access translates into safe, real-world outcomes.

• Repotrectinib listed for ROS1-positive NSCLC, including activity after prior TKIs and in resistant mutations, plus monitoring for dizziness and pneumonitis
• Durvalumab listed for muscle-invasive bladder cancer using the Niagara perioperative regimen, balancing survival gains with immune-related toxicity
• Three new pembrolizumab listings across cervical cancer, adjuvant renal cell carcinoma and perioperative head and neck cancer, with discussion of endpoints and eligibility
• Haematology additions including a BCMA bispecific for relapsed myeloma, an oral kinase inhibitor for higher-risk myelofibrosis and mogamulizumab for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma
• PBS price cuts via generics and biosimilars, plus expanded supervised prescribing for some medicines by nurse practitioners

Follow The PBS Update for regular discussions of PBS listings and oncology policy changes affecting Australian healthcare professionals.

Visit the Show Notes for links to the updates discussed in this episode and to send us audio feedback or questions for future episodes.

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Australia’s PBS has introduced it’s first pan-tumour reimbursement listing for the immunotherapy combination nivolumab plus ipilimumab. In this inaugural episode of PBS Update, Professor Craig Underhill and Rachael Babin break down the key oncology changes from the March 2026 PBS update, including new listings for toripalimab and cabozantinib.

Follow PBS Update for regular discussions on PBS listings and oncology policy changes affecting Australian healthcare professionals.

Visit the Show Notes for links to the PBS updates discussed in this episode and to send us audio feedback or questions for future episodes.

Send us Fan Mail

The Oncology Journal Club Podcast hosted by Professor Craig Underhill, Dr Kate Clarke and Professor Chris Jackson | Proudly Produced by The Oncology Network

Visit oncologynetwork.com.au for Show Notes, to send us Voice Notes and more information.

We explore practical wins and bold ideas across supportive care, colorectal cancer prevention, immunotherapy timing, digital triage and equity. From halving hot flushes with an NK1/NK3 blocker to biomarker-guided aspirin in colon cancer, we weigh value, risk and what truly improves lives.

• Elinzanetant cutting severe hot flushes and improving treatment adherence
• Current non-hormonal options and gaps in symptom control
• Biomarker-selected aspirin reducing recurrences in colorectal cancer
• Limits of DFS, toxicity trade-offs and subgroup signals
• Rising early-onset colorectal cancer and system planning needs
• Possible environmental and microbiome drivers under study
• ASCO geriatric assessment guidance and G8 screening in clinics
• PD-1 with short-course radiotherapy boosting rectal pCR rates
• Large language models for safe, efficient symptom triage
• Rare cancers report on access, cost, and rural inequities
• Telehealth standards to link expertise closer to home
• Healthy workplace culture to retain a resilient oncology workforce

Join the Oncology Network, registration is free, and leave us a voice note on the OJC page at oncologynetwork.com.au. Physicians, don’t forget you can claim CME points for listening to the show!

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