Cromolyn prevents bronchospastic attacks caused by Bacillus Calmette Geurin immunotherapy for malignant melanoma...

Bacillus Calmette Geurin (BCG) skin immunization is an adjuvant therapy for malignant melanoma patients. Adverse reactions to BCG skin immunization therapy are not uncommon and usually present as fever, influenza-like syndrome, pruritus skin rash, ulcers at the injection site, regional lymphadenopathy, and liver dysfunction. To our knowledge, a bronchospastic BCG immunotherapy-related attack has not yet been reported. We present a case of a patient with malignant melanoma who developed an unusual reaction during BCG immunotherapy. He developed asthma-like attacks after treatment, which could be prevented by inhalation of Cromolyn prior to and after therapy.