The Oncology Podcast

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PBS listings can radically reshape practice and the August changes are all about precision. Rachael Babin from the Oncology Network sits down with Professor Craig Underhill to translate the latest Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) oncology and haematology listings into what clinicians actually need: who’s eligible, what the key trials show and what to watch for once the script is written. 

We start with vorasidenib, newly listed for IDH mutant astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas. Alongside a powerful public advocacy story, we unpack the INDIGO phase 3 data and why a clear progression-free survival gain matters for patients facing long treatment journeys. We also get practical about toxicity, including fatigue and liver function abnormalities, and the reality that chronic low-grade side effects still require close monitoring and supportive care to keep people well on therapy. 

Next, we move to selpercatinib for RET-mutated medullary thyroid cancer, a rare disease where “getting the target right” can be transformative. Craig talks us through the LIBRETTO-531 results, what “PFS not reached” signals, and why tolerability and discontinuation rates matter just as much as headline efficacy. 
We then cover tafasitamab (anti-CD19) added to rituximab and lenalidomide for relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma, including day unit visit burden, neutropenia risk and the size of the benefit reported. 

To close, we ask the bigger question: as targeted therapy and tumour-agnostic approvals increase, are we heading toward mutation specialists rather than tumour-type silos? If this helped you keep up with PBS oncology and haematology updates, please subscribe, share it with a colleague and leave a review so more clinicians can find us.

Visit the Show Notes for links to the papers and other materials related to the PBS updates discussed in this episode and to send us audio feedback or questions for future episodes.
Proudly produced by The Oncology Network

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Negative trials matter. In this episode, the Oncology Journal Club team discuss research that challenges established practice, alongside thought-provoking papers exploring how we communicate treatment goals in the era of immunotherapy and precision oncology.
Professor Chris Jackson reviews the PERISCOPE II trial, showing that adding gastrectomy, cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC to systemic therapy does not improve survival for patients with gastric cancer and limited peritoneal metastases, while substantially increasing treatment-related morbidity.
Dr Kate Clarke examines the NeoSUMMIT-01 trial, which provides further evidence supporting perioperative PD-1 inhibition alongside chemotherapy for gastric and gastro-oesophageal cancers, with encouraging improvements in event-free and overall survival.
Professor Craig Underhill leads a discussion on a JAMA Oncology viewpoint questioning whether the traditional "curative" versus "palliative" treatment framework remains fit for purpose in modern oncology, particularly as immunotherapy and targeted therapies create new patterns of long-term survival.
The team also explores:
Smoking cessation programmes that improve outcomes for patients with cancer 
New ctDNA data following colorectal liver metastasectomy 
Steroids to reduce morphine-induced nausea and vomiting 
Highlights from the ASCO Breakthrough meeting 
The Lancet Oncology Commission on the global cancer workforce crisis 
Tumour-agnostic therapies and the challenges of equitable implementation 
Five-year follow-up from TOPAZ-1 in advanced biliary tract cancer 
A comprehensive review of recent advances in prostate cancer 
The Oncology Journal Club Podcast is hosted by Professor Craig Underhill, Dr Kate Clarke and Professor Chris Jackson, and proudly produced by The Oncology Network.
Visit oncologynetwork.com.au for Show Notes, to send us Voice Notes and more information.

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The July 2026 PBS update brings a number of important changes for oncology clinicians, with several new and expanded cancer medicine listings set to improve access to cancer treatments across breast, lung, blood and biliary tract cancers.
In this episode, Rachael Babin and Professor Craig Underhill discuss the clinical significance of the latest Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme changes, including who is now eligible for treatment, what these listings mean for multidisciplinary care and why comprehensive biomarker testing continues to grow in importance.
In this episode:
PBS listing for pertuzumab (Perjeta®) in high-risk HER2-positive early breast cancer 
Listing of alectinib (Alecensa®) for ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer 
Osimertinib (Tagrisso®) listing for EGFR-mutated unresectable Stage III NSCLC following chemoradiation 
First PBS listing of romidepsin (Romidepsin-Reach®) for relapsed peripheral T-cell lymphoma 
First PBS listing of futibatinib (Lytgobi®) for FGFR2-altered advanced cholangiocarcinoma 
What the new broad (multi-cancer) PBS listing principles for PD-(L)1 inhibitors could mean for future cancer drug funding
Follow The 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.
Proudly produced by The Oncology Network

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Welcome to Episode 30 of The Oncology Podcast's Experts On Point series, brought to you by The Oncology Network. Hosted by Rachael Babin.
What does it really take to make cancer care smarter? In this episode of Experts on Point, host Rachael Babin is joined by Associate Professor Jenny Liu and patient advocate Beth Ivimey to explore how precision oncology is reshaping not only cancer treatment but the way clinical trials are designed and delivered. 
It's a conversation that we hope you will find inspiring - its about combining innovation with compassion—and  its a reminder that some of the biggest advances in oncology may come not only from scientific breakthroughs, but from building systems that put patients at the centre of every decision. 
Drawing on both clinical expertise and lived experience, they discuss genomic testing, trial navigation, toxicity management, patient partnership and the challenges of ensuring the right patient reaches the right trial at the right time. 
Together, they reflect on why the future of cancer research depends as much on smarter systems and meaningful collaboration as it does on scientific innovation.
We hope you enjoy listening.

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Join our Hosts Professor Craig Underhill and Rachael Babin to discuss the June 2026 PBS update including a new listing for fixed-duration acalabrutinib plus venetoclax in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. 
They also explore the growing challenges facing Australia's PBS, with special guest Professor John Zalcberg AO sharing his insights into delays in access to innovative cancer medicines, global pricing pressures, the impact of changing US drug policy and what reforms may be needed to ensure Australian patients continue to benefit from timely access to life-changing treatments.
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.
Proudly produced by The Oncology Network