Yervoy 3mg side effects

I believe when I had the ipi/nivo combo in May and June of this year ipi was 10mg per kilo.   This is for mucosal m. in the sinus.   I could only do two infusions before my side effects (thyroiditis, a. immune hepatitis & and other issues) put me in hospital, stopped the infusions and took me off the trial.  Impossible to know for sure which drug caused most side effects, but the ipi is always more suspect, I believe.  However, clearly one of the two or the combo kept the tumor from growing for a montth or a little more, but it began again while I was off so long recovering from the s. effects.  Now on Pembro since Sept (10 mg p. kilo, a drug very similar to Nivolumab) and very mild s. effects so far.  Too eary for scans, though.  Clearly one of the struggles of the researchers is learning why some patients react so mildly to ipi while others (like me) have severe reactions – part of the reason we all participate in these trials!

Chris

I believe when I had the ipi/nivo combo in May and June of this year ipi was 10mg per kilo.   This is for mucosal m. in the sinus.   I could only do two infusions before my side effects (thyroiditis, a. immune hepatitis & and other issues) put me in hospital, stopped the infusions and took me off the trial.  Impossible to know for sure which drug caused most side effects, but the ipi is always more suspect, I believe.  However, clearly one of the two or the combo kept the tumor from growing for a montth or a little more, but it began again while I was off so long recovering from the s. effects.  Now on Pembro since Sept (10 mg p. kilo, a drug very similar to Nivolumab) and very mild s. effects so far.  Too eary for scans, though.  Clearly one of the struggles of the researchers is learning why some patients react so mildly to ipi while others (like me) have severe reactions – part of the reason we all participate in these trials!

Chris

I believe when I had the ipi/nivo combo in May and June of this year ipi was 10mg per kilo.   This is for mucosal m. in the sinus.   I could only do two infusions before my side effects (thyroiditis, a. immune hepatitis & and other issues) put me in hospital, stopped the infusions and took me off the trial.  Impossible to know for sure which drug caused most side effects, but the ipi is always more suspect, I believe.  However, clearly one of the two or the combo kept the tumor from growing for a montth or a little more, but it began again while I was off so long recovering from the s. effects.  Now on Pembro since Sept (10 mg p. kilo, a drug very similar to Nivolumab) and very mild s. effects so far.  Too eary for scans, though.  Clearly one of the struggles of the researchers is learning why some patients react so mildly to ipi while others (like me) have severe reactions – part of the reason we all participate in these trials!

Chris

Are you sure you made the correct statement?  FDA approval for adjuvant IPI dosage is 10mg/kg, not 3mg/kg.  It is NOT being offered at the 3mg/kg dosage for stage III.  If you read back to Tim's recent post about new therapies, it explains this and a method of obtaining the drug for free given the pricing structure that would be required for 10mg/kg dosage..

Are you sure you made the correct statement?  FDA approval for adjuvant IPI dosage is 10mg/kg, not 3mg/kg.  It is NOT being offered at the 3mg/kg dosage for stage III.  If you read back to Tim's recent post about new therapies, it explains this and a method of obtaining the drug for free given the pricing structure that would be required for 10mg/kg dosage..

Actually, you are correct as far as the most recent FDA approval regarding ipi as adjuvant is concerned.  Additionally, Artie already made the point that 3mg/kg has been the routine dose used else-wise.  As both doses are FDA approved, doctors are allowed discretion in what they utilize, though what payors will cover certainly affects use as well.  Were it me, I would be asking to try the 3mg/kg dose….but whether that could happen for an NED patient is unclear.  Additionally….I was responding the poster's question which was specifically regarding the 3mg/kg dose.  Celeste

Actually, you are correct as far as the most recent FDA approval regarding ipi as adjuvant is concerned.  Additionally, Artie already made the point that 3mg/kg has been the routine dose used else-wise.  As both doses are FDA approved, doctors are allowed discretion in what they utilize, though what payors will cover certainly affects use as well.  Were it me, I would be asking to try the 3mg/kg dose….but whether that could happen for an NED patient is unclear.  Additionally….I was responding the poster's question which was specifically regarding the 3mg/kg dose.  Celeste

I asked my Melanomo onocologist this exact question last week…and he indicated that he could dose 3mg/kg…and in fact had just did it that day.

Michel

I asked my Melanomo onocologist this exact question last week…and he indicated that he could dose 3mg/kg…and in fact had just did it that day.

Michel

I asked my Melanomo onocologist this exact question last week…and he indicated that he could dose 3mg/kg…and in fact had just did it that day.

Michel

Actually, you are correct as far as the most recent FDA approval regarding ipi as adjuvant is concerned.  Additionally, Artie already made the point that 3mg/kg has been the routine dose used else-wise.  As both doses are FDA approved, doctors are allowed discretion in what they utilize, though what payors will cover certainly affects use as well.  Were it me, I would be asking to try the 3mg/kg dose….but whether that could happen for an NED patient is unclear.  Additionally….I was responding the poster's question which was specifically regarding the 3mg/kg dose.  Celeste

Are you sure you made the correct statement?  FDA approval for adjuvant IPI dosage is 10mg/kg, not 3mg/kg.  It is NOT being offered at the 3mg/kg dosage for stage III.  If you read back to Tim's recent post about new therapies, it explains this and a method of obtaining the drug for free given the pricing structure that would be required for 10mg/kg dosage..

My husband was  a Stage IIIb at his initial diagnosis in Jan 2008 and after several surgeries advanced to Stage IV with a unresectable tumor pressing on the spine at C1-2 area, liver mets, lung mets and 4 or 5 sub q's in Oct. 2010.  He began the IPI 10mg/kg in Mar. 2011.  He had the original 4 doses every 3 weeks for 12 weeks and then went into the maintenance phase of once every 12 weeks.  He was also given GMCSF daily self injections 14 days on 7 days off for the full time.  We literally watched the sub q's disappear as we took pictures every 3 weeks just before his IPI infusions.

He had some side effects but mostly minor and easy to handle.  He remained on the IPI and GMCSF until Dec. 2013 when he went off and is just followed by  his onc.  He has been 3 years NED.  If you would like to read more about him you can read his profile.

Judy (loving wife to Gene Stage IV and now NED for over 3 years.)

My husband was  a Stage IIIb at his initial diagnosis in Jan 2008 and after several surgeries advanced to Stage IV with a unresectable tumor pressing on the spine at C1-2 area, liver mets, lung mets and 4 or 5 sub q's in Oct. 2010.  He began the IPI 10mg/kg in Mar. 2011.  He had the original 4 doses every 3 weeks for 12 weeks and then went into the maintenance phase of once every 12 weeks.  He was also given GMCSF daily self injections 14 days on 7 days off for the full time.  We literally watched the sub q's disappear as we took pictures every 3 weeks just before his IPI infusions.

He had some side effects but mostly minor and easy to handle.  He remained on the IPI and GMCSF until Dec. 2013 when he went off and is just followed by  his onc.  He has been 3 years NED.  If you would like to read more about him you can read his profile.

Judy (loving wife to Gene Stage IV and now NED for over 3 years.)

My husband was  a Stage IIIb at his initial diagnosis in Jan 2008 and after several surgeries advanced to Stage IV with a unresectable tumor pressing on the spine at C1-2 area, liver mets, lung mets and 4 or 5 sub q's in Oct. 2010.  He began the IPI 10mg/kg in Mar. 2011.  He had the original 4 doses every 3 weeks for 12 weeks and then went into the maintenance phase of once every 12 weeks.  He was also given GMCSF daily self injections 14 days on 7 days off for the full time.  We literally watched the sub q's disappear as we took pictures every 3 weeks just before his IPI infusions.

He had some side effects but mostly minor and easy to handle.  He remained on the IPI and GMCSF until Dec. 2013 when he went off and is just followed by  his onc.  He has been 3 years NED.  If you would like to read more about him you can read his profile.

Judy (loving wife to Gene Stage IV and now NED for over 3 years.)

I am in the same clinical trial, ECOG 1609.  I was also randomized into arm C, 3 mg ipi/Kg.   My infusions were stopped after the second infusion due to 3/4 adverse events:  severe colitis which involved administrating 9 units of blood, adrenal insufficinecy due to the high doses of steriods that were administered, and orthostatic hypotention that had me totally confined to my bed for two weeks.  I was hospitalized for 24 days in the intermediate critical care unit of the hospital. I had two infusions of infleximab to deal with the colitis.  I was on fludrocortosone and prednisone for several months after my discharge from the hospital.  My endocronologist was very diligent about getting me off the steriods and the corticiods.  It took almost a year to do that. My synthroid was increased from 0.050 mg [before the trial] to 0.075 mg. 

As part of trial ECOG 1609, I now go for blood work and CT Scans and see the oncologist every 6 months; Once a year, I see the endocronologist, gastroenterologist, oncodermatologist, and the [ENT] head and neck surgeon who performed a total left parotidectomy and radical dissection of the lymph glands on the left side of my neck.  I see my [regular] dermatologist every forth;and eighth month (the oncodermatologist every 12th month). 

I am very glad that I am participant in the Ipi vs Interferon Adjuvant trial and that I was randomized into arm C 3 mg ipi/ kg.  I have been NED 28 months since my last infusion.

I am in the same clinical trial, ECOG 1609.  I was also randomized into arm C, 3 mg ipi/Kg.   My infusions were stopped after the second infusion due to 3/4 adverse events:  severe colitis which involved administrating 9 units of blood, adrenal insufficinecy due to the high doses of steriods that were administered, and orthostatic hypotention that had me totally confined to my bed for two weeks.  I was hospitalized for 24 days in the intermediate critical care unit of the hospital. I had two infusions of infleximab to deal with the colitis.  I was on fludrocortosone and prednisone for several months after my discharge from the hospital.  My endocronologist was very diligent about getting me off the steriods and the corticiods.  It took almost a year to do that. My synthroid was increased from 0.050 mg [before the trial] to 0.075 mg. 

As part of trial ECOG 1609, I now go for blood work and CT Scans and see the oncologist every 6 months; Once a year, I see the endocronologist, gastroenterologist, oncodermatologist, and the [ENT] head and neck surgeon who performed a total left parotidectomy and radical dissection of the lymph glands on the left side of my neck.  I see my [regular] dermatologist every forth;and eighth month (the oncodermatologist every 12th month). 

I am very glad that I am participant in the Ipi vs Interferon Adjuvant trial and that I was randomized into arm C 3 mg ipi/ kg.  I have been NED 28 months since my last infusion.

I am in the same clinical trial, ECOG 1609.  I was also randomized into arm C, 3 mg ipi/Kg.   My infusions were stopped after the second infusion due to 3/4 adverse events:  severe colitis which involved administrating 9 units of blood, adrenal insufficinecy due to the high doses of steriods that were administered, and orthostatic hypotention that had me totally confined to my bed for two weeks.  I was hospitalized for 24 days in the intermediate critical care unit of the hospital. I had two infusions of infleximab to deal with the colitis.  I was on fludrocortosone and prednisone for several months after my discharge from the hospital.  My endocronologist was very diligent about getting me off the steriods and the corticiods.  It took almost a year to do that. My synthroid was increased from 0.050 mg [before the trial] to 0.075 mg. 

As part of trial ECOG 1609, I now go for blood work and CT Scans and see the oncologist every 6 months; Once a year, I see the endocronologist, gastroenterologist, oncodermatologist, and the [ENT] head and neck surgeon who performed a total left parotidectomy and radical dissection of the lymph glands on the left side of my neck.  I see my [regular] dermatologist every forth;and eighth month (the oncodermatologist every 12th month). 

I am very glad that I am participant in the Ipi vs Interferon Adjuvant trial and that I was randomized into arm C 3 mg ipi/ kg.  I have been NED 28 months since my last infusion.

I am in the same clinical trial, ECOG 1609.  I was also randomized into arm C, 3 mg ipi/Kg.   My infusions were stopped after the second infusion due to 3/4 adverse events:  severe colitis which involved administrating 9 units of blood, adrenal insufficinecy due to the high doses of steriods that were administered, and orthostatic hypotention that had me totally confined to my bed for two weeks.  I was hospitalized for 24 days in the intermediate critical care unit of the hospital. I had two infusions of infleximab to deal with the colitis.  I was on fludrocortosone and prednisone for several months after my discharge from the hospital.  My endocronologist was very diligent about getting me off the steriods and the corticiods.  It took almost a year to do that. My synthroid was increased from 0.050 mg [before the trial] to 0.075 mg. 

As part of trial ECOG 1609, I now go for blood work and CT Scans and see the oncologist every 6 months; Once a year, I see the endocronologist, gastroenterologist, oncodermatologist, and the [ENT] head and neck surgeon who performed a total left parotidectomy and radical dissection of the lymph glands on the left side of my neck.  I see my [regular] dermatologist every forth;and eighth month (the oncodermatologist every 12th month). 

I am very glad that I am participant in the Ipi vs Interferon Adjuvant trial and that I was randomized into arm C 3 mg ipi/ kg.  I have been NED 28 months since my last infusion.

I am in the same clinical trial, ECOG 1609.  I was also randomized into arm C, 3 mg ipi/Kg.   My infusions were stopped after the second infusion due to 3/4 adverse events:  severe colitis which involved administrating 9 units of blood, adrenal insufficinecy due to the high doses of steriods that were administered, and orthostatic hypotention that had me totally confined to my bed for two weeks.  I was hospitalized for 24 days in the intermediate critical care unit of the hospital. I had two infusions of infleximab to deal with the colitis.  I was on fludrocortosone and prednisone for several months after my discharge from the hospital.  My endocronologist was very diligent about getting me off the steriods and the corticiods.  It took almost a year to do that. My synthroid was increased from 0.050 mg [before the trial] to 0.075 mg. 

As part of trial ECOG 1609, I now go for blood work and CT Scans and see the oncologist every 6 months; Once a year, I see the endocronologist, gastroenterologist, oncodermatologist, and the [ENT] head and neck surgeon who performed a total left parotidectomy and radical dissection of the lymph glands on the left side of my neck.  I see my [regular] dermatologist every forth;and eighth month (the oncodermatologist every 12th month). 

I am very glad that I am participant in the Ipi vs Interferon Adjuvant trial and that I was randomized into arm C 3 mg ipi/ kg.  I have been NED 28 months since my last infusion.

I am in the same clinical trial, ECOG 1609.  I was also randomized into arm C, 3 mg ipi/Kg.   My infusions were stopped after the second infusion due to 3/4 adverse events:  severe colitis which involved administrating 9 units of blood, adrenal insufficinecy due to the high doses of steriods that were administered, and orthostatic hypotention that had me totally confined to my bed for two weeks.  I was hospitalized for 24 days in the intermediate critical care unit of the hospital. I had two infusions of infleximab to deal with the colitis.  I was on fludrocortosone and prednisone for several months after my discharge from the hospital.  My endocronologist was very diligent about getting me off the steriods and the corticiods.  It took almost a year to do that. My synthroid was increased from 0.050 mg [before the trial] to 0.075 mg. 

As part of trial ECOG 1609, I now go for blood work and CT Scans and see the oncologist every 6 months; Once a year, I see the endocronologist, gastroenterologist, oncodermatologist, and the [ENT] head and neck surgeon who performed a total left parotidectomy and radical dissection of the lymph glands on the left side of my neck.  I see my [regular] dermatologist every forth;and eighth month (the oncodermatologist every 12th month). 

I am very glad that I am participant in the Ipi vs Interferon Adjuvant trial and that I was randomized into arm C 3 mg ipi/ kg.  I have been NED 28 months since my last infusion.