I have a question that I don't think I have posed here before.
Over the years I have had tons of CT scans with the associated contrast. But last summer, while participating in the LAG-3 trial at Johns Hopkins, I experienced a delayed reaction to the contrast dye that came on several hours after the dye was administered and which resembled a mild case of the flu. It lasted for about 36 hours.
Since it seemed like too much of a coincidence that I would come down with the flu right after getting home from Johns Hopkins I did a little research and found that indeed, delayed reactions resembling the flu could come on anywhere from several hours to several days after contrast administration. I told Dr. Sharfman about it and he premedicated me with prednisone before the next scan. The prednisone delayed the onset of the symptoms and shortened the time frame by about 12 hours, but it still felt like I had a mild case of the flu the next day.
Upon reading more about this type of reaction, I discovered that there is evidence that it is T-cell mediated. I found that interesting given that the purpose of relatlimab, the experimental medication that is part of the LAG-3 trial, is to revitalize exhausted T-cells.
So I was just wondering if there was anybody else here who has developed a sensitivity to iodine contrast after an immunotherapy treatment. I wondered aloud to the folks at Johns Hopkins whether there was a connection between the experimental drug and my new sensitivity. They didn't seem to have any opinion. Or am I just unusual? LOL
-Bill
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