Gamma globulin

[MartiP2009]

Today I go for my monthly gamma globulin infusion I usually do well except I get very tired and at times nauseous. Anyone here gets these infusions? I have been on Imbruvica for 4 years with little side affects, but recently my wbc and lymphocytes are climbing and my platelets are dropping slowly. I was told by the oncologist I saw at Sloan Kettering last month that if I relapse I should look into bone marrow transplant as this would be my fourth relapse. I’ve researched it and I’m frightened by the process. Anyone here gone thru this or the car T cell therapy. Sorry for all the different topics all at once but I’ve been feeling a bit worried as of late. I’m 64 yrs old also diabetic and have lupus.

[Cllcanada Top Poster CURE Hero]

I would look at Zydelig (idelalisib),which has been great for me and also venetoclax.. both are considered prior to HSC transplant.

CAR T cell is still in experimental clinical trials, and your other conditions might exclude you, but you would need to discipuss this with the CART transplant program you are interested in, since there are a number of them...

Body age might be a factor in HSCT, as well... the older you are, comobidities etc, the higher the risk generally.

~chris

[MartiP2009 in reply to Cllcanada]

When I saw the oncologist in New York she said my diabetes wouldn’t be a factor since I have it well under control with Merformin and diet glucose levels never above 120, my lupus is the skin type so my organs are not affected, but yes it could prevent me from that treatment.

[wmay13241]

My 70-year old wife is in an NIH CAR-T trial - she has been in complete remission for 2 years. The trial protocol requires an IVIG infusion when her IgG drops below 400, for her about every 4 months. The only IVIG infusion side effect is tiredness for several days after the infusion. And she has not had any infection for 2 years.

[MartiP2009 in reply to wmay13241]

I’m very happy she’s in complete remission. My side affects are mild and only last a day but the day after I always have a headache. My levels without the infusion every 4 weeks drop in 400’s and I get sinus infection and UTI’s. They go up to the 700’s after the infusion.

[wmay13241 in reply to MartiP2009]

Folliowng an IVIG infusion my wife's IgG goes into the low 700s then gradually decreases to the high 300s in about 4 months. The half-life of the infused IgG is about 21 days.

[Cllcanada Top Poster CURE Hero in reply to wmay13241]

I could be wrong but I believe your wife has WM not CLL, they are apples and oranges, with regards to CAR T therapy. If this is the case, perhaps you could mention it in your discussion?

CLL has some unique problems, not seen in other lymphomas or leukemias...

~chris

[wmay13241 in reply to Cllcanada]

My wife has aggressive follicular lymphoma vice CLL. Sorry for not mentioning that in my original post.