| As you know very well, the pharmaceutical industry | | | | for Provenge is to extend the length of survival for |
| is forever changing! Drugs are constantly being added | | | | the men who use this therapy. In early studies it has |
| to and removed from the market. Just recently, | | | | shown an increase in the extension of life as well as |
| there has been a MAJOR addition to the | | | | quality of life for up to four additional months, with |
| pharmaceutical industry! The FDA has approved the | | | | improved quality of life during this time. According to |
| very first "active cellular immunotherapy"! Wow, this | | | | researchers the four month addition is pretty |
| could be huge! | | | | impressive especially due to the fact that these men |
| So you must be wondering what "active cellular | | | | have about a 2 year life expectancy after diagnosis. |
| immunotherapy" means and I'm glad you've asked! | | | | My Position |
| The way this product is manufactured is by utilizing | | | | As a clinical pharmacist, I absolutely have to wonder |
| the recipients own white blood cells to stimulate an | | | | what the post surveillance data will look like, not only |
| immune response against the cancer. Wow, wow, | | | | that, but what type of price tag it will impose on the |
| wow...if all goes well, this could prove to be very | | | | consumer. If this truly works in this population then it |
| significant! | | | | can be a great thing. Most of the time a drug's true |
| Provenge (Sipuleucel-T) is an immunotherapy that has | | | | identity doesn't emerge for months; even years later; |
| been studied for the treatment of asymptomatic or | | | | which is why drugs are removed and/or black boxed |
| minimally symptomatic metastatic, castration-resistant | | | | warnings are added so late in the drug's history. I |
| prostate cancer (mCRPC). Now, let me dissect that | | | | must admit, there is a little skepticism where I'm |
| for you! This simply means that males with little to no | | | | concerned. Utilizing the immune system of any person |
| symptoms from this form of cancer can be potential | | | | can prove to be very tricky...as the body is an |
| recipients of this therapy. The availability of Provenge | | | | amazingly complex masterpiece. Only time will tell, this |
| provides an additional treatment option for males | | | | will be interesting! |
| with advanced prostate cancer. The goal of therapy | | | | |