Calling Her Own Shots: One Woman’s Journey with Melanoma
(BPT) - Sponsored by Bristol Myers Squibb
Katy is contracted with Bristol Myers Squibb as an unpaid spokesperson, reflecting on her personal experiences with Opdivo Qvantig. Results may vary for others.
Vijay K. Gunuganti, M.D., medical oncologist and hematologist at Texas Oncology, was compensated by Bristol Myers Squibb for his contribution to this article.
For many, retirement represents a long-awaited opportunity to focus on the things that matter most - family, travel, hobbies and the freedom to enjoy life's next chapter. For Katy, that was exactly the plan. After years of balancing work, family responsibilities and busy schedules, she was looking forward to slowing down. She envisioned spending more time playing pickleball, swimming, traveling with her husband and being with her family.
Then everything changed.
A routine medical evaluation led to an unexpected and staggering diagnosis: Stage IV melanoma.
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer. When diagnosed at Stage IV, the cancer cells have spread beyond their original location in the skin to distant lymph nodes or other vital organs. An advanced diagnosis is challenging for any patient to navigate and for Katy, the news was devastating. Suddenly, the retirement that she had spent years planning was overshadowed by uncertainty, fear and difficult decisions about treatment.
"I had so many thoughts running through my mind, especially the fear that if my daughter has a child, they won't have a grandmother," Katy recalls, reflecting on those first difficult days following her diagnosis.
But after the initial shock wore off, Katy made a decision. Rather than letting cancer define her future, she would become an active participant in her care. She wanted to understand her options, partner closely with her healthcare team and make choices that were right for her lifestyle - not simply manage a diagnosis.
Partnering for a path forward
Katy's first step was to find a trusted oncologist with whom she could collaborate to build a treatment plan to target her melanoma. Over the course of her care plan, she was treated with Opdivo Qvantig® (nivolumab and hyaluronidase-nvhy), an immunotherapy given by subcutaneous (under the skin) injection. As an immunotherapy treatment, Opdivo Qvantig works with the immune system to help fight cancer and is the first approved subcutaneous PD-1 inhibitor. Specifically, Opdivo Qvantigbinds to PD-1 receptors on immune cells, which helps the body's natural defenses detect and target the cancer.
Opdivo Qvantig, Opdivo® (nivolumab) and Yervoy® (ipilimumab) can cause your immune system to attack normal organs and tissues in any area of your body and can affect the way they work, which can be serious or life threatening and can lead to death.
INDICATION & SUMMARY OF WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Opdivo Qvantig is a prescription medicine used alone to treat adults and children 12 years of age and older who weigh 66 pounds (30 kg) or more with a type of skin cancer called melanoma that has spread or cannot be removed by surgery (advanced melanoma), after completing combination treatment with intravenous nivolumab and ipilimumab.
Opdivo Qvantigis not indicated for co-administration with Yervoy.
Opdivo is a prescription medicine used in combination with Yervoy to treat adults and children 12 years of age or older with a type of skin cancer called melanoma that has spread or cannot be removed by surgery (advanced melanoma).
Opdivo Qvantig,IV Opdivoand IV Yervoy can cause problems that can sometimes become serious or life-threatening and can lead to death. Serious side effects may include lung problems; intestinal problems; liver problems; hormone gland problems; kidney problems; skin problems; eye problems; problems in other organs and tissues; and complications of stem cell transplant, including graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), that uses donor stem cells (allogeneic). Call or see your healthcare provider right away for any new or worsening signs or symptoms. Opdivo is associated with severe infusion reactions.
Please see the Important Safety Information at the end of this article.
Opdivo Qvantig works with the immune system the same way as IV Opdivobut is delivered differently, providing eligible patients and healthcare providers with an additional administration option. Opdivo Qvantig may let patients receive immunotherapy treatment administration quickly* - in as fast as three minutes (injection time of Opdivo Qvantigis three to five minutes) - with an injection under the skin instead of a 30-minute IV infusion of Opdivointo a vein. It is given by a healthcare professional in the stomach area (abdomen) or thigh area. Opdivo Qvantig doesn't need to be administered at an infusion center and may be given at a doctor's office or a site closer to home. Since the medication is injected under the skin and no access to a vein is required, a port may not be necessary.
"For patients navigating an advanced cancer diagnosis, having an administration option that fits their lifestyle is incredibly meaningful," says Dr. Vijay Gunuganti. "Having a subcutaneous option like Opdivo Qvantig allows us to deliver an immunotherapy treatment that works with the immune system in the same way as IV Opdivo, but through a different administration method. While the IV formulation of Opdivo remains a viable option of care, Opdivo Qvantig allows eligible patients to choose another treatment administration method that can be delivered faster*, with a three- to five-minute injection. This addition is a welcome step forward in giving eligible patients more options and may help them integrate cancer care into their daily routines."
*A three- to five-minute injection time of Opdivo Qvantig compared to 30-minute infusion time of IV Opdivo. This does not account for all aspects of treatment and does not include observation time. Actual clinic time may vary.
Embracing a future full of gratitude
Katy's melanoma diagnosis gave her a new perspective, especially on how she viewed accepting help from others.
She welcomed steady support and daily care of her friends, husband and daughter. This helped her deepen her gratitude for the everyday, teaching her to cherish small moments, the people around her and the time they have together. And Katy has much to appreciate - she and her husband recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and are proud new grandparents. She is relishing her role as a grandmother.
By staying active in her own care, Katy felt empowered through having options in how she received treatment.
"Having a choice in how my treatment was administered gave me options to choose from during a time when so much felt out of my hands," Katy shares. "Opting for the subcutaneous injection allowed me to receive treatment in my local doctor's office, making the process easier on my family. I focused on what truly mattered to me: fighting to overcome cancer."
For others who are currently at the beginning of their own cancer journey, Katy offers simple, heartfelt advice: "The antidote to that fear was being grateful," she says. "I am just so full of gratitude for the life that I have."
How to Learn More
To read more inspiring patient and caregiver stories visit: Patient and Caregiver Stories | OPDIVO® & OPDIVO Qvantig®
Indications and Important Safety Information
INDICATIONS
OPDIVO QVANTIG® (nivolumab and hyaluronidase-nvhy) is a prescription medicine used alone to treat adults and children 12 years of age and older who weigh 66 pounds (30 kg) or more with a type of skin cancer called melanoma that has spread or cannot be removed by surgery (advanced melanoma), after completing combination treatment with intravenous nivolumab and ipilimumab.
OPDIVO® (nivolumab) is a prescription medicine used in combination with YERVOY® (ipilimumab) to treat adults and children 12 years of age or older with a type of skin cancer called melanoma that has spread or cannot be removed by surgery (advanced melanoma).
It is not known if OPDIVO QVANTIG is safe and effective in children younger than 12 years of age with melanoma.
It is not known if OPDIVO QVANTIG is safe and effective in children for the treatment of any other cancers.
It is not known if OPDIVO is safe and effective in children younger than 12 years of age with melanoma.
It is not known if OPDIVO is safe and effective in children for the treatment of any other cancers.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR OPDIVO QVANTIG, OPDIVO, and YERVOY
What is the most important information I should know about OPDIVO QVANTIG, OPDIVO, and YERVOY?
OPDIVO QVANTIG, OPDIVO, and YERVOY are medicines that may treat certain cancers by working with your immune system. OPDIVO QVANTIG, OPDIVO, and YERVOY can cause your immune system to attack normal organs and tissues in any area of your body and can affect the way they work. These problems can sometimes become severe or life-threatening and can lead to death. These problems may happen anytime during treatment or even after your treatment has ended. You may have more than one of these problems at the same time. Some of these problems may happen more often when OPDIVO QVANTIG or OPDIVO are used in combination with another therapy.
Call or see your healthcare provider right away if you develop any new or worsening signs or symptoms, including:
Lung problems: cough; shortness of breath; chest pain
Intestinal problems: diarrhea (loose stools) or more frequent bowel movements than usual; stools that are black, tarry, sticky, or have blood or mucus; severe stomach-area (abdominal) pain or tenderness
Liver problems: yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes; severe nausea or vomiting; pain on the right side of your stomach area (abdomen); dark urine (tea colored); bleeding or bruising more easily than normal
Hormone gland problems: headaches that will not go away or unusual headaches; eye sensitivity to light; eye problems; rapid heartbeat; increased sweating; extreme tiredness; weight gain or weight loss; feeling more hungry or thirsty than usual; urinating more often than usual; hair loss; feeling cold; constipation; your voice gets deeper; dizziness or fainting; changes in mood or behavior, such as decreased sex drive, irritability, or forgetfulness
Kidney problems: decrease in your amount of urine; blood in your urine; swelling of your ankles; loss of appetite
Skin problems: rash; itching; skin blistering or peeling; swollen lymph nodes, painful sores or ulcers in mouth or nose, throat, or genital area; fever or flu-like symptoms
Eye problems: blurry vision, double vision, or other vision problems; eye pain or redness
Problems can also happen in other organs and tissues. These are not all of the signs and symptoms of immune system problems that can happen with OPDIVO QVANTIG, OPDIVO, and YERVOY. Call or see your healthcare provider right away for any new or worsening signs or symptoms, which may include:
- Chest pain, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath or swelling of ankles
- Confusion, sleepiness, memory problems, changes in mood or behavior, stiff neck, balance problems, tingling or numbness of the arms or legs
- Double vision, blurry vision, sensitivity to light, eye pain, changes in eyesight
- Persistent or severe muscle pain or weakness, muscle cramps
- Low red blood cells, bruising
Rejection of a transplanted organ or tissue.Your healthcare provider should tell you what signs and symptoms you should report and monitor you depending on the type of organ or tissue transplant that you have had.
Getting medical treatment right away may help keep these problems from becoming more serious.Your healthcare provider will check you for these problems during treatment with OPDIVO QVANTIG, OPDIVO, and YERVOY. Your healthcare provider may treat you with corticosteroid or hormone replacement medicines. Your healthcare provider may also need to delay or completely stop treatment with OPDIVO QVANTIG, OPDIVO, or YERVOY if you have severe side effects.
What are the possible side effects of OPDIVO QVANTIG, OPDIVO, and YERVOY?
OPDIVO QVANTIG, OPDIVO, and YERVOY can cause serious side effects, including:
- See "What is the most important information I should know about OPDIVO QVANTIG, OPDIVO, and YERVOY?"
- Complications, including graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD), in people who have received a bone marrow (stem cell) transplant that uses donor stem cells (allogeneic).These complications can be severe and can lead to death. These complications may happen if you underwent transplantation either before or after being treated with OPDIVO QVANTIG, OPDIVO, or YERVOY. Your healthcare provider will monitor you for signs of complications if you have an allogeneic stem cell transplant.
OPDIVO and YERVOY can cause serious side effects, including:
- Severe infusion reactions.Tell your healthcare team right away if you get these symptoms during an infusion of OPDIVO or YERVOY: chills or shaking; itching or rash; flushing; shortness of breath or wheezing; dizziness; feel like passing out; fever; back or neck pain.
The most common side effects of OPDIVO QVANTIG when used alone in people with renal cell carcinoma include:pain in muscles, bones, and joints; feeling tired; itchy skin; rash; low thyroid hormone levels; diarrhea; cough; stomach-area (abdominal) pain.
The most common side effects observed with nivolumab given into the vein (intravenous nivolumab), which may be experienced with OPDIVO QVANTIG, are shown below.
The most common side effects of OPDIVO, when used alone, include:feeling tired; rash; pain in muscles, bones, and joints; itching; diarrhea; nausea; weakness; cough; shortness of breath; constipation; decreased appetite; back pain; upper respiratory tract infection; fever; headache; stomach-area (abdominal) pain; vomiting; and urinary tract infection.
The most common side effects of OPDIVO, when used in combination with YERVOY, include:feeling tired; diarrhea; rash; itching; nausea; pain in muscles, bones, and joints; fever; cough; decreased appetite; vomiting; stomach-area (abdominal) pain; shortness of breath; upper respiratory tract infection; headache; low thyroid hormone levels (hypothyroidism); constipation; decreased weight; and dizziness.
These are not all the possible side effects. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist. You are encouraged to report side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Before receiving OPDIVO QVANTIG, OPDIVO, or YERVOY, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
- have immune system problems such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or lupus.
- have received an organ transplant, including corneal transplant.
- have received or plan to receive a stem cell transplant that uses donor stem cells (allogeneic).
- have received radiation treatment to your chest area in the past and have received other medicines that are like OPDIVO, YERVOY, or OPDIVO QVANTIG.
- have a condition that affects your nervous system, such as myasthenia gravis or Guillain-Barré syndrome.
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. OPDIVO QVANTIG, OPDIVO, and YERVOY can harm your unborn baby.
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if OPDIVO QVANTIG, OPDIVO, or YERVOY passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment and for 5 months after your last dose of OPDIVO QVANTIG, OPDIVO, or YERVOY.
Females who are able to become pregnant:
- Your healthcare provider should do a pregnancy test before you start receiving OPDIVO QVANTIG, OPDIVO, or YERVOY.
- You should use an effective method of birth control during treatment and for 5 months after your last dose of OPDIVO QVANTIG, OPDIVO, or YERVOY. Talk to your healthcare provider about birth control methods that you can use during this time.
- Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant during treatment with OPDIVO QVANTIG, OPDIVO, or YERVOY.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Please see U.S. Full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide for OPDIVO QVANTIG, U.S. Full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide for OPDIVO, and U.S. Full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide for YERVOY.
Clinical Trials and Patient Populations
Checkmate 67T-previously treated advanced or metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma with OPDIVO QVANTIG; Checkmate 067-previously untreated unresectable or metastatic melanoma, as a single agent or in combination with YERVOY.
© 2026 Bristol-Myers Squibb Company.
OPDIVO®, YERVOY®, and OPDIVO Qvantig® are trademarks of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. [1992-US-2600464 09/26]
Source: BrandPoint
