The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has recently approved Provenge, a new treatment for advanced prostate cancer as an alternative to chemotherapy. This article will provide important information on the new treatment, how it works, its benefits and the risks of this treatment option for advanced prostate cancer. After reading this article, you will have good information to discuss this option with your doctor or oncologist to decide if PROVENGE is the right option for you in your fight to cure prostate cancer.
Provenge, pronounced PRO-VENJ, is a new prostate cancer treatment option developed by Dendreon Corporation, which is available by proscription for the treatment of late stage prostate cancer. The company website, www.provenge.com, states that the drug cures certain types of prostate cancer, so yo will want to discuss with your doctor to determine if you are a viable candidate for this treatment option.
How Does Provenge Work?
Provenge works by allowing the immune system to identify and attack prostate cancer cells. The mechanism the human immune system uses to identify and attack the cancer cells is not fully understood at this time. Provenge is not a mass-produced prostate cancer treatment, but rather the manufacturer custom-makes the treatment for each patient based on the analysis of their immune cells. The treatment begins by the doctor collecting a sample of the patient’s immune cells, through a process called leukapheresis.
The sample cells are sent to Dendreon Corp. for analysis and a treatment is designed based on the results of the analysis. The activated cells are returned to the patient’s doctor and infused back into the patient’s body. Once the cells, which are activated with Provenge based on the analysis, are infused back into the patient, Provenge identifies and develops an immune response to the prostate cancer cells.
Is Provenge a Cure for Prostate Cancer?
At this time, Provenge is a temporary cure for advanced prostate cancer, as it slows the growth of the prostatic cancer cells and extends the life of the patient longer than is expected with chemotherapy.
Based on research with prostate cancer clinical trials, where patients with advanced stage prostate cancer were divided into control groups with some receiving the Provenge treatment and others receiving a placebo, the patients who received Provenge lived on average an additional 4.1 months compared to patients who received a placebo.
Some patients and their families are grateful for any additional time to spend with their loved one before passing on, while others have questioned if the short extension in life is worth the high cost of the medication. A treatment of Provenge currently runs $75,000 – $90,000 USD. Whether the treatment is worthwhile or too expensive is a personal decision that the patients and their families must make when choosing this option.
What are the side effects of Provenge?
The most common side effects experienced by patients when taking PROVENGE include chills, fatigue, fever,
back pain, nausea, joint ache, and headache.
This is the first new FDA approved treatment for advanced prostate cancer that does not include chemotherapy.
How To Prevent Prostate Cancer
Men should begin yearly prostate screenings at age 50, or 40 to 45 years old for men who have a family history of cancer or prostate cancer. African American men statistically are twice as likely to develop prostate cancer than other groups, and should begin prostate cancer screenings at age 40 to 45 regardless of a family history of prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer screening consists of a blood test, called a PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) Test, that identifies the possible presence of prostate cancer due to an elevated PSA score. A benign enlarged prostate will also be identified by a PSA score above normal. Some doctors may recommend a prostate biopsy to identify the presence of cancer cells in the prostate or an MRI scan, since the biopsy is not 100% accurate in detecting prostate cancer.
A healthy diet along with exercise and a prostate health supplement are one of the the best options today to ensure optimum prostate health and reduce the chances of developing prostate problems, including enlarged prostate or prostate cancer.
To Your Health!
