A promising immunotherapy cancer treatment is now more accessible in Australia, including for advanced ovarian cancer, following an international study that involved Epworth patients.
Pembrolizumab, known as Keytruda, works by harnessing the immune system to find and destroy cancer cells.
The immunotherapy drug was previously subsidised through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for 17 cancer indications, but this has been expanded from 1 September 2026 through a landmark multi-cancer listing.
Clinicians will use their clinical judgement to determine whether pembrolizumab is suitable treatment for eligible patients with advanced or metastatic cancer that is sensitive to immunotherapy.
Pembrolizumab is the first targeted immunotherapy for advanced ovarian cancer to be listed in more than 10 years.
Epworth medical oncologist Associate Professor Sumitra Ananda said it was an “important moment” for cancer treatment in Australia.
“This multi-cancer listing may expand immunotherapy access for thousands of Australians and gives doctors the discretion to make appropriate evidence-based treatment decisions,” A/Prof Ananda said.
A/Prof Ananda led a clinical trial at Epworth Freemasons as part of a global study of the effectiveness of pembrolizumab in combination with chemotherapy to treat recurrent ovarian cancer. Epworth was one of 187 trial sites across 25 countries and the top recruiter in Australia.
The trial study paper was published in world-leading medical journal The Lancet in April 2026, with A/Prof Ananda the only Australian author. It was the first to show that immunotherapy can improve the survival of women with recurrent ovarian cancer.
“This has changed the global practice of how we treat ovarian cancer by providing evidence that supports this immunotherapy treatment combination as a new standard of care,” A/Prof Ananda said.
“Every Epworth patient who took part in the clinical trial has contributed to this groundbreaking advancement in cancer treatment, both here in Australia and internationally.”
Dr Caroline Le, Epworth Project Director – Research, said the multi-cancer listing of pembrolizumab was the ‘gold standard example’ of clinical trials leading to real life outcomes for patients.
“Clinical trials not only give the trial participants access to treatments they otherwise would not have, but they can ultimately benefit many more people by providing the evidence needed to drive meaningful advancements in treatment for others,” Dr Le said.
“There are around 150 active clinical trials at Epworth at any given time, and we can see that this research contribution is not just tinkering around the edges, it is making a significant impact on patient outcomes.”
