Nivolumab in combination with ipilimumab and chemotherapy for untreated metastatic or recurrent non-small-cell lung cancer in patients whose tumours express PD-L1 with a tumour proportion score <1% with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumour mutations

Published on 06 Feb 2026
Last Updated on 06 Feb 2026

Guidance Recommendations

The Ministry of Health’s Drug Advisory Committee has not recommended nivolumab in combination with ipilimumab and chemotherapy for inclusion on the Medication Assistance Fund (MAF) for untreated metastatic or recurrent non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in patients whose tumours express programmed death-ligand 1 with a tumour proportion score <1% (PD-L1 <1%), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumour mutations. The decision was based on unfavourable cost effectiveness compared with subsidised alternatives.

Nivolumab in combination with ipilimumab and chemotherapy will remain eligible for claims and benefits under MediShield Life (no subsidy) for untreated metastatic or recurrent NSCLC in patients with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumour mutations.

Clinical indication, subsidy class and MediShield Life claim limit for nivolumab and ipilimumab are provided in the Annex.

Guidance_Nivolumab in combination with ipilimumab and chemotherapy for untreated metastatic or recurrent non-small-cell lung cancer in patients whose tumours express PD-L1 with a tumour proportion score <1% with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumour mutations (6 Feb 2026)