Eligible Australian adults living with a type of stomach cancer called gastric or gastroesophageal junction (G/GOJ) adenocarcinoma which can be removed by surgery can now access a new immunotherapy option, following an expansion of AstraZeneca’s IMFINZI® (durvalumab) listing on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).1
From 1 September 2026, IMFINZI® is PBS-reimbursed for around 1,100 people per year with G/GOJ cancers which can be removed by surgery. IMFINZI® is administered in combination with chemotherapy prior to surgery (neoadjuvant treatment) as well as after surgery (adjuvant treatment), followed by IMFINZI® alone.
Most common in men over the age of 60, around 6,3003 Australians were estimated in 2021 to be living with stomach cancer, which in 2025 accounted for an estimated 2,740 diagnoses and 1,200 deaths in Australia.3
- Arising from mucus-producing glands in the stomach, gastric adenocarcinomas can be aggressive but may have a good prognosis if caught early.4
- Often difficult to diagnose, GOJ adenocarcinoma is a rare type of malignancy developing from the gastro-oesophageal junction, the area where the stomach meets the oesophagus (food pipe).5
- Surgery in combination with chemotherapy is the standard management for patients with operable G/GOJ adenocarcinoma.6
- Despite surgery and chemotherapy, recurrence rates remain high and less than half of patients survive beyond five years, underscoring a substantial clinical need for new therapies.7
- Providing people living with G/GOJ cancers with a reimbursed option for treatment before and after surgery, IMFINZI® is administered into the vein as a liquid infusion to work with the patient’s immune system to destroy cancer cells.2
Dr Marie Guillet, Country President of AstraZeneca Australia and New Zealand, said: “AstraZeneca welcomes the Australian Government’s investment to bring PBS access to IMFINZI® for around 1,100 Australians every year who are living with gastric and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma.
“AstraZeneca will continue to advocate for access to medicines to support Australians living with stomach cancer and their loved ones.”
Associate Professor Amitesh Roy, senior medical oncologist at Adelaide’s Flinders Medical Centre, said: “The PBS expansion of IMFINZI® to include eligible patients living with operable gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer is a welcome development.
“Importantly, it allows patients reimbursed access to an immunotherapy-based treatment option used as part of perioperative care, alongside chemotherapy and surgery.”
ABOUT IMFINZI2
Indication: IMFINZI® for the perioperative treatment (ie, neoadjuvant and adjuvant phases) of adult patients with operable gastric and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma and who are eligible for FLOT (fluorouracil, leucovorin, oxaliplatin, docetaxel) chemotherapy.
Precautions: Patients should inform their doctor if they have an autoimmune disease (a condition where the body attacks its own cells) such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis or lupus. If patients have an autoimmune disease, the risk of immune-mediated side effects may be higher with immune checkpoint inhibitor medicines (such as IMFINZI) as they may cause inflammation in parts of your body. They may also experience more frequent flares of their autoimmune disease, which in the majority of cases are mild. Patients should also inform their doctor if they have had an organ transplant; have lung or breathing problems; have liver problems or if they are pregnant or intend to become pregnant, are breastfeeding or intending to breastfeed.
Interactions: Patients should inform their doctor if they are taking any other medicines, including any medicines, vitamins, or supplements without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Side effects: Occurring in at least 10 per cent of patients, the most common side effects of IMFINZI® in combination with chemotherapy include low number of red blood cells (anaemia) and white blood cells (neutropenia and leukopenia); diarrhoea; nausea and vomiting; stomach pain; inflammation of the mouth or lips; constipation; feeling tired or weak (fatigue); fever; decreased appetite; inflammation of the nerves; numbness, weakness, tingling or burning pain of the arms and legs; hair loss; skin rash or itchiness; lung infection (pneumonia) that may include coughing of phlegm; fever, chills and difficulty breathing; and cough.
More information can be found in the IMFINZI® Consumer Medicine Information here: https://rss.medsinfo.com.au/ap/cmi.cfm?product=apcimfip10823
- ENDS-
Associate Professor Amitesh Roy has been involved in clinical trials sponsored by AstraZeneca; and has served on advisory boards and speaking engagements for which compensation was received. In relation to this AstraZeneca media announcement, no compensation was provided to A/Professor Roy, and the opinions expressed are his own. A/Professor Roy has been briefed by AstraZeneca on the approved use of this product.
Media Contacts
AstraZeneca Australia
IMFINZI® (durvalumab) is a registered trademark of AstraZeneca. ABN 54 009 682 311.
66 Talavera Road, Macquarie Park, NSW 2113. www.astrazeneca.com.au
For Medical Information enquiries or to report an adverse event or product quality complaint: Telephone 1800 805 342 or via https://contactazmedical.astrazeneca.com or email Medical Information enquiries to medinfo.australia@astrazeneca.com
Notes to editors
Gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancer
Gastric cancers happen when abnormal cells in the stomach grow out of control. Around 90-95 per cent of gastric cancers are adenocarcinomas, which start in the cells that line the inside of the stomach (the mucosa).
Gastric and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinomas are a significant cause of cancer death in Australia, ranking 15th by incidence and 10th in terms of cancer deaths, and accounting an estimated 2,740 diagnoses and 1,200 deaths in 2025.3
Risk factors that increase the risk of developing the disease5 include but are not limited to:
- having one of a number of chronic stomach conditions, such as Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, chronic gastritis (stomach inflammation) or gastric polyps (non-cancerous growths on the inner lining of the stomach);
- having low levels of red blood cells;
- having had a partial stomach removal to treat non-cancerous conditions;
- eating a lot of salty, smoked or pickled foods, and not a lot of fruits and vegetables;
- smoking tobacco;
- drinking a lot of alcohol;
- being overweight or obese; and
- having a family history of stomach cancer or gastrointestinal disorders.
About IMFINZI®2
Containing the active ingredient durvalumab, IMFINZI® is a monoclonal antibody, a type of protein. It is a type of immunotherapy and belongs to a group of medicines called immune checkpoint inhibitors. It works with the patient’s immune system to destroy cancer cells.
IMFINZI® is prescribed and administered to patients in a hospital or clinic via infusion.
About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/NYSE: AZN) is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines, primarily for the treatment of diseases in three therapy areas – Oncology; Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism; and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in more than 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. For more information, please visit www.astrazeneca.com.au
References
- www.pbs.gov.au
- IMFINZI Consumer Medicine Information https://rss.medsinfo.com.au/ap/cmi.cfm?product=apcimfip10823 Accessed August 2026
- www.canceraustralia.gov.au/cancer-types/stomach-cancer/stomach-cancer-statistics Accessed August 2026
- www.rarecancers.org.au/knowledgebase/cancer-types/stomach-gastric-cancer/ Accessed August 2026
- www.rarecancers.org.au/knowledgebase/cancer-types/gastro-oesophageal-junction-cancer/ Accessed August 2026
- www.eviq.org.au/medical-oncology/upper-gastrointestinal/gastric-and-oesophageal-adjuvant-and-neoadjuvant/2038-gastric-gastroesophageal-and-oesophageal-neoa#indications-and-patient-population Accessed August 2026
- Al-Batran et al: Perioperative chemotherapy with fluorouracil plus leucovorin, oxaliplatin, and docetaxel versus fluorouracil or capecitabine plus cisplatin and epirubicin for locally advanced, resectable gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction adenocarcinoma (FLOT4): a randomised, phase 2/3 trial www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(18)32557-1/fulltext Accessed July 2026
- www.canceraustralia.gov.au/cancer-types/stomach-cancer/what-are-risk-factors-stomach-cancer Accessed August 2026
AstraZeneca Pty. Ltd. ABN 54 009 682 311. 66 Talavera Road, Macquarie Park, NSW 2113. www.astrazeneca.com.au For Medical Information enquiries or to report an adverse event or product quality complaint: Telephone 1800 805 342 or via https://contactazmedical.astrazeneca.com | AU-25895 August 2026