Anti-LAG-3 Trial Infusion 4 Report –Elevated Lipase

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    • August 2, 2017 at 6:53 pm
    mrsaxde
    Participant

      Hi Everybody!

      Well, I had my 4th infusion in the Opdivo/BMS-986016 combo trial. I still feel fine, but this time I ran across what could be a developing issue.

      My bloodwork has always been good, through ipi and 1.5 years of Keytruda. But my lipase level has been on the rise since I started infusions in this trial. Yesterday it was double what it was two weeks ago. It's still not what they consider "extremely high" and Dr. Sharfman signed off on the treatment. We'll see what happens when my next bloodwork rolls around in two weeks.

      My first scans since starting the trial come up on August 11. I'm still feeling good and experiencing no ill effects whatsoever. I'll have a report when I get the results of the scans.

      -Bill

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        • August 2, 2017 at 8:34 pm
        ed williams
        Participant

          Hi Bill, if you don't mind me asking what was your normal level and what has it jumped to? Glad you are feeling well, that is important in my book!!! Best wishes!!!Ed

            • August 2, 2017 at 9:50 pm
            mrsaxde
            Participant

              Hi Ed,

              I had not had a lipase test until I did the baseline screening for the trial on 5/30. At that time it was 42. It dropped to 33 before the first infusion. After the first infusion it was 48. After the second, 50. And this week, just before the fourth infusion, it was 109.

              • August 2, 2017 at 10:32 pm
              ed williams
              Participant

                Hi Bill, in Canada on my blood test the range is 73 u/L at low end and – 393 u/L at the high end. I have been floating around 200 for the last year and a half. Did your doctor say what level would be of concern as far as getting treatments?

                • August 2, 2017 at 11:50 pm
                mrsaxde
                Participant

                  No, he didn't mention. But he didn't seem too concerned at the moment. His nurse remarked that my lipase was elevated. He looked at the results and said "It's only twice what it was last time." Then he signed off on yesterday's treatment. It's not the level where it is right now that is concerning me (and also my wife, who is a nurse, although not an oncology nurse), it's the fact that it started increasing as soon as the infusions started, and each test has been higher than the last. But Dr. Sharfman is one of the top melanoma docs in the country, so if he's not panicking, neither am I. 🙂

                  • August 6, 2017 at 12:08 am
                  Linny
                  Participant

                    Sounds like the elevated lipase may be a side effect of the Opdivo. https://news.bms.com/press-release/asco17/anti-lag-3-bms-986016-combination-opdivo-nivolumab-showed-activity-patients-mel

                    I don't know what numbers would be worrisome. But you are being closely monitored by a top melanoma specialist and if he's not too concerned at the moment then there's no need to panic.

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