Episode Summary
In this second part of TOGA’s Conversations in Lung Cancer Research two-episode series, A/Prof Adnan Nagrial, a Medical Oncologist at Westmead Hospital, leads a panel discussing the clinical implications of the March 1st broad Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) listing of ipilimumab and nivolumab in Australia. Joined by Prof Nick Pavlakis (Senior Staff Specialist at Royal North Shore Hospital, Professor of Medicine at the University of Sydney, former chair of TOGA), Dr. Sam Bowyer (Medical Oncologist at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and Clinical Researcher at Linear Clinical Research) and Dr. Lavinia Tan (Medical Oncologist at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre), the conversation explores how this newly granted flexibility alters treatment paradigms across various thoracic malignancies, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), mesothelioma, small cell lung cancer (SCLC), and rare thymic tumours while also addressing toxicity management and the growing demands of patient survivorship.
Sponsors
This podcast was proudly sponsored by Bristol Myers Squibb. All development and editorial decisions were made independently by the speakers.
Show Notes
- CheckMate 816: nivolumab + chemotherapy before surgery for resectable NSCLC
- CheckMate 227: nivolumab + ipilimumab for advanced NSCLC
- CheckMate 9LA: a landmark trial of nivolumab + ipilimumab plus two cycles of chemotherapy in advanced NSCLC. In Australia, prior to the 2026 broad PBS listing, this regimen was primarily funded for patients with metastatic squamous NSCLC, leading clinicians to commonly refer to it as the “9LA regimen”.
Speakers
- A/Prof Adnan Nagrial, Medical Oncologist, Westmead Hospital
- Dr Sam Bowyer, Medical Oncologist, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and Linear Clinical Research
- Prof Nick Pavlakis, Medical Oncologist, Royal North Shore Hospital, Director, TOGA Board of Directors
- Dr Lavinia Tan, Medical Oncologist, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
