KyleS

I have been on Braftovi / Mektovi for a while now and the only issue that I had was a borderline low LVEF that was resolved with a dose reduction. It’s weird how some people get a full list of side effects while others get virtually nothing. I think one positive thing to look at is most of these side effects can be well managed with dose reductions, drug holidays or other medications.

Hi Amanda,

I have not done TIL, but I have had a positive result on multiple therapies. This list starts wayyyyyy back in 2006 – present.

Interferon
Chemobiotherapy SWOG 0008 trial
IMRT (Radiation one month)
High Dose Il2
Dabrafenib
Ipi/nivo + 13 nivo cycles + SBRT until I had to stop due to elevated ALT / AST.

Plus some surgeries in between.

I am currently on Braftovi / Mektovi and I have been a complete responder for almost 2 years. I know there are ongoing studies regarding Ipi / Nivo rechallenge and Nivo single agent rechallenge. TIL is also a viable option and is probably worth a consult. There’s also intralesional’s which can be injected via ultrasound if they aren’t visible. SBRT has a very good local control rate for tumors that are slow to respond. I know it sucks, but sometimes it takes a few treatments to find the right one. Keep your head up, look at all the options that you have and make a plan. Hang in there!!

It wasn’t quite heart failure level but my LVEF at baseline was I believe somewhere in the 60% range.  I had a follow-up echo 3 months later after starting the drugs and it had dropped to 50%.  I ended up having my Mektovi dosage reduced and the follow-up echos after that showed my EF back in the 60% range.  It is a rare side effect but I felt fine with that since I was being monitored with echos every few months.  Don’t let that scare you away though!!  I have been NED for almost 2 years on these drugs.