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Leflunomide

› Forums › Cutaneous Melanoma Community › Leflunomide

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      • June 15, 2011 at 3:53 pm
      Lkinnaman
      Participant

        Hi Frank,

        I've had rheumatoid arthritis for over 20 years and recently diagnosed with nodular melanoma on my forearm, microstage T4a, and have been on leflunomide for several years for the RA.

        I specifically sought an oncologist who works with autoimmunity (for the RA) and melanoma. Luckily I have found the best doctor, Dr. Greg Daniels, here at UCSD and he agrees with this line of research.

        Interestingly, my melanoma arose quickly when I was actually off leflunomide for about 4-5 months.

        We never know what will work, but being proactive and informed is the best we can do.

        Good luck!

        Linda

          • July 6, 2011 at 5:57 pm
          Clara Paschitti
          Participant

            I have a friend with melanoma and auto-immune disease (ankylosing spondylitis as well as a mild case of crohn's disease).  He is currently taking Sulfazine for both.  His  rheumatologist said he could switch to leflunomide, but he is worried about the risk of infection so he has not changed his medication.  His oncologist at Sloan Kettering is indifferent as to whether he should switch his arthritis medication to leflunomide since it's only been tested on animals.  Is there a melanoma network for patients with autoimmune disease.  It seems that most of the current treatments as well as experimental treatments are based on enhancing the autoimmune system which would cause a problem to these patients.  Also some of the drugs are difficult to tolerate if the patient also has crohn's disease (ie ipilimumab.      

            • July 29, 2013 at 5:58 am
            jodywood
            Participant

              I have been on 20mg Leflunomide for the past 1 month. So far – I have not noticed any side effects. It has improved the quality of my life in that I am not experiencing any pain. I will continue to monitor any side-effects over the next few months.

              • July 29, 2013 at 5:58 am
              jodywood
              Participant

                I have been on 20mg Leflunomide for the past 1 month. So far – I have not noticed any side effects. It has improved the quality of my life in that I am not experiencing any pain. I will continue to monitor any side-effects over the next few months.

                • July 29, 2013 at 5:58 am
                jodywood
                Participant

                  I have been on 20mg Leflunomide for the past 1 month. So far – I have not noticed any side effects. It has improved the quality of my life in that I am not experiencing any pain. I will continue to monitor any side-effects over the next few months.

                  • July 6, 2011 at 5:57 pm
                  Clara Paschitti
                  Participant

                    I have a friend with melanoma and auto-immune disease (ankylosing spondylitis as well as a mild case of crohn's disease).  He is currently taking Sulfazine for both.  His  rheumatologist said he could switch to leflunomide, but he is worried about the risk of infection so he has not changed his medication.  His oncologist at Sloan Kettering is indifferent as to whether he should switch his arthritis medication to leflunomide since it's only been tested on animals.  Is there a melanoma network for patients with autoimmune disease.  It seems that most of the current treatments as well as experimental treatments are based on enhancing the autoimmune system which would cause a problem to these patients.  Also some of the drugs are difficult to tolerate if the patient also has crohn's disease (ie ipilimumab.      

                  • June 15, 2011 at 3:53 pm
                  Lkinnaman
                  Participant

                    Hi Frank,

                    I've had rheumatoid arthritis for over 20 years and recently diagnosed with nodular melanoma on my forearm, microstage T4a, and have been on leflunomide for several years for the RA.

                    I specifically sought an oncologist who works with autoimmunity (for the RA) and melanoma. Luckily I have found the best doctor, Dr. Greg Daniels, here at UCSD and he agrees with this line of research.

                    Interestingly, my melanoma arose quickly when I was actually off leflunomide for about 4-5 months.

                    We never know what will work, but being proactive and informed is the best we can do.

                    Good luck!

                    Linda

                    • July 29, 2013 at 7:25 am
                    JerryfromFauq
                    Participant

                      Interesting that it has also been tied to Zelboraf to increase it's effects.

                      • July 29, 2013 at 7:25 am
                      JerryfromFauq
                      Participant

                        Interesting that it has also been tied to Zelboraf to increase it's effects.

                        • July 29, 2013 at 7:25 am
                        JerryfromFauq
                        Participant

                          Interesting that it has also been tied to Zelboraf to increase it's effects.

                          • July 29, 2013 at 7:43 am
                          JerryfromFauq
                          Participant
                            • July 29, 2013 at 7:51 am
                            JerryfromFauq
                            Participant
                              • July 29, 2013 at 7:43 am
                              JerryfromFauq
                              Participant
                                • July 29, 2013 at 7:43 am
                                JerryfromFauq
                                Participant
                                  • July 29, 2013 at 7:51 am
                                  JerryfromFauq
                                  Participant
                                    • July 29, 2013 at 7:51 am
                                    JerryfromFauq
                                    Participant
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