Yes! Asthma – check. Immunotherapy for 2 1/2 years after developing brain and lung mets in 2010 – check. Yes, I had wheezing episodes that were much worse than my "usual" after nivo infusions. Yes, I used albuterol and various inhaled corticosteroids while in my trial. Had relatively mild pneumonitis several times. Yes my onc knew all of the above. And…best of all….I am still NED with no further treatment since 2013 with my asthma back to "normal". So….you will have to be careful and be proactive when it comes to your lung function. Plus, while it does seem counterintuitive to administer something to put the brakes on our immune function when taking something to rev it up….studies show that doing so does not have an adverse effect on outcomes. Here are about a zillion posts:
https://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/search?q=prednisone+and+immunotherapy
There are many links within that post. We have learned that folks with pre-existing immune disease can tolerate immunotherapy. They just have to be watchful. We have learned, as I noted, that steroids do not decrease outcomes relative to the treatment of our melanoma. In fact, lots of folks have to be maintained on steroids or take breaks from treatment and use steroids from time to time, in order to tolerate their melanoma treatment. Overall, an inhaled steroid, has much less effect than systemic steroid therapy…so that is even better.
Hope that helps. You can use the search bubble to the top left of my blog to find more particulars if you like. I wish you my best. Celeste
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