Cemiplimab immunotherapy treatment - husband has started to develop a dry cough. Consultant thinks it could be mild pneumonitis. Has anyone else had this?

Hi everyone,

Hope that everyone is doing ok.

Just a quick question,my husband has had 2 sessions of Cemiplimab immunotherapy treatment for squamous cell carcinoma, he's started with a dry cough, saw consultant for his 3weekly follow up,she said he's got crackles in his lungs, despite him feeling absolutely fine, she's put him on 40mg prednisolone tapering down 10mg a week, but she's cancelled his next 2 infusions of Cemiplimab immunotherapy.

He did have a bout of Sepsis and pneumonia last September,but been fine since then.

He's had chest x-ray,that's all clear and also had a CT scan, apparently on looking at the CT scan that looks ok too .

Consultant has made new appointments for his immunotherapy treatment in 4weeks but also said, she can't guarantee she will continue his treatment, which is worrying, especially as the treatment is definitely working.

Consultant is saying it could be mild Pneumonitis?

Has anyone else has this condition,any advice gratefully received.

Kind regards,

Jen-gle 

  • Hi Jen

    Ive been on Cemiplimab for 18 months. It is working very well against metastatic SCC. I had to take a break for 2 cycles as my immune system got over activated. No steroid treatment required to calm immune response. I get wheezy chest but not pneumonitis which can be very dangerous. I get a really  bad skin rash and fatigue but other than that I tolerate it quite well. Hopefully after a break your husband will be able to continue with this amazing treatment. 

    Ed

  • Hi Ed,

    Many thanks for your message,

    Yes hopefully he will be able to continue his treatment, but I think when we mentioned that he'd had sepsis and pneumonia last September, it started ringing alarm bells , he's got a follow up this week, so hopefully she'll have the full CT scan results back and will have some positive news for us ,as the treatment is definitely working, squamous cell carcinoma on his scalp is half the size!

    You mentioned to me in your last message that you'd had to have a break, you sound as if your doing well, apart from blinking side effects, stay positive, that's all we can all do!!

    Kind regards,

    Jen-gle