Immunotherapy in Thoracic Cancers: From Indication-Based to Biology-Driven

In this first part of a special two-episode series of TOGA's Conversations in Lung Cancer Research podcast, A/Prof Deme Karikios, a Medical Oncologist at the Nepean Hospital in NSW, is joined by Prof Ken O'Byrne, a Consultant and Professor in Medical Oncology at the Princess Alexandra Hospital and the Queensland University of Technology, and A/Prof Rachel Roberts-Thomson, a Medical Oncologist at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Cancer Care Adelaide. The panel discusses the recent, groundbreaking broad PBS listing of certain immunotherapy agents in Australia, including the removal of 'once in a life time' rule. This major structural shift moves oncology prescribing away from rigid, indication-specific silos and toward clinician discretion guided by a patient's individual biology and the best available clinical evidence. This episode also covers what this means for advanced and metastatic thoracic malignancies, the biological rationale behind single versus doublet immunotherapy, and the practicalities of managing these clinical decisions. Podcast Sponsor Note: This podcast was proudly sponsored by Bristol Myers Squibb. All development and editorial decisions were made independently by the speakers. Resource Links: CM816 https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2202170 CM9LA https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(20)30641-0/abstract CM227-https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1910231 CM227 was a clinical trial that examined ipi/nivo, nivo alone or chemotherapy in pts with NSCLC with PD-L1 expression level of 1%   (00:00) Welcome and Acknowledgement (02:00) New PBS Listing Explained (04:18) Defining Advanced and Sensitive (07:18) Dual vs Single Immunotherapy (12:27) Early Stage and Recurrence (14:26) Duration Stopping and Restarting (20:57) Other Thoracic Cancers (23:55) System Impact and Wrap Up Support TOGAThank you for listening to Conversations in Lung Cancer Research. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.---------------Connect with TOGAAttend an Event: https://thoraciconcology.org.au/events/Become a Member: Join the TOGA community at https://thoraciconcology.org.au/membership/Donate: Support our research and treatment initiatives at https://thoraciconcology.org.au/support-us/donate/Follow UsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thoracic-oncology-group-of-australasia/X (Twitter): https://x.com/TOGAANZInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/togaanz/YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@Thoracic_Oncology---------------Acknowledgement of CountryThe Thoracic Oncology Group of Australasia Limited acknowledges Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait cultures; and to Elders past and present.