CH29 Posted August 21, 2022 Share Posted August 21, 2022 My husband completed six rounds earlier this year of Carboplatin, Alimta, and Keytruda for NSCLC, with great success. The plan was to continue with Keytruda only. However, it was noticed in his bloodwork that his kidney readings went from wonderful to terrible in a quick timeframe around the time of his last treatments. They stopped all treatment and put him on Prednisone to try to take time for the kidneys to heal. However, they kept declining to the point of renal failure. The excess fluids even landed him in the hospital on a ventilator because he could not breathe. He is now recovering but having daily dialysis treatments for the past week. This is terrifying. The doctors all seem to think this is one of the rare side effects of Keytruda. I have no idea what we are dealing with as far as dialysis in the future, or lung cancer treatments at all for that matter. I've not had luck finding someone with this type of case. I'm at a total loss as to next steps. The doctors seem to be focused first on getting him through this immediate hurdle with his current hospital stay, but I can't help but think ahead. BridgetO and Tom Galli 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Galli Posted August 21, 2022 Share Posted August 21, 2022 CH, I agree, what you've told us of your husband's kidney condition is terrifying. I note your husband's chemo was a combination type with carboplatin, Altima and Keytruda. I've not read of Keytruda induced kidney problems. Perhaps the culprit is the combination of conventional drugs (carboplatin and Altima) with Keytruda. I do hope he stabilizes quickly. Stay the course. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CH29 Posted August 22, 2022 Author Share Posted August 22, 2022 It very well may have been more than just the Keytruda. If the doctors can determine a definite cause I will make sure to post that update. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GBJ Posted September 7, 2022 Share Posted September 7, 2022 CH29, Sorry to hear about your husband's condition. Praying that he get well soon. For me, a Stage IV NSCLC, I have had 6x carboplatin, 8x Keytruda and 8x Alimta till now. Scans were good the last time (2 months ago), with significant decrease in lesions and nodes, same as your husband's. The doctor had mentioned side effect of Keytruda at the time of its first infusion, one of them being kidney problems. Hence they ask me to have a kidney function test and a liver function test every 3 weeks. They also have me tested for cortisol serum and ACTH in the blood. Maybe that might be something the doctors can check as well. As Tom says, stay the course. He will be better soon. Tom Galli 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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