Drug guidance
Glofitamab for relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma not otherwise specified in patients who are not candidates for autologous stem cell transplant
Condition
Blood and Immune System
Cancer
1 July 2026
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Published on 01 Jul 2026
Last Updated on 01 Jul 2026
Guidance Recommendations
The Ministry of Health’s Drug Advisory Committee has recommended:
Glofitamab 2.5 mg and 10 mg concentrate for solution for infusion, for use in combination with gemcitabine and oxaliplatin, for relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma not otherwise specified in patients who are not candidates for autologous stem cell transplant.
Funding status
Glofitamab 2.5 mg and 10 mg concentrate for solution for infusion are recommended for inclusion on the Medication Assistance Fund (MAF) for the abovementioned indication from 1 September 2026.
Clinical indication, subsidy class and MediShield Life claims eligibility for glofitamab are provided in the Annex.
Plain English Summary
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a fast-growing type of blood cancer that causes white blood cells (B-cell lymphocytes) to grow uncontrollably. It is the most common type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and usually occurs in older adults. Symptoms may include swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, fever, night sweats, weight loss and frequent infections.
Many patients with DLBCL achieve remission with immunochemotherapy. Remission means the cancer is no longer detectable or does not need treatment. However, sometimes the cancer can come back after treatment (relapsed) or continue to worsen (refractory), and a different treatment will be given. Some patients may be suitable for an autologous stem cell transplant, where stem cells are removed from the patient’s own blood and then put back into the patient’s body after high-dose chemotherapy is given. This helps to restore the bone marrow and rebuild the immune system. Doctors consider several factors when deciding which treatment is likely to work best, including the patient’s age and general health, which treatments have been tried before, and whether they are suitable for autologous stem cell transplant.
Glofitamab is a biologic medicine (monoclonal antibody) that helps the immune system find and kill cancer cells by specifically targeting CD20, a protein found on some cancer cells, and CD3, a protein found on immune cells. It is given as a slow drip into a vein (intravenously).
Glofitamab, in combination with gemcitabine and oxaliplatin, was recommended for government funding because its benefit justifies its cost. It is included in the Medication Assistance Fund (MAF) and the treatment cost will be subsidised by 40% to 75% for eligible patients. It can also be claimed under MediShield Life. The subsidy class and MediShield Life claim limits are available here.