How Is PROVENGE Different?
Each dose of PROVENGE is made specifically for you
PROVENGE is an immunotherapyTreatment that helps the immune system (the body’s natural defenses) fight disease. that works by stimulating the natural ability of immune cells already in your blood, and may help you live longer.
Each dose of PROVENGE is made just for you, Your personal dose of PROVENGE consists of your own immune cells that have been activated to seek and attack prostate cancer cells. By stimulating the natural ability of immune cells already in your blood, PROVENGE may help you live longer.
You can complete a typical treatment of PROVENGE in about a month, and the most common side effects are primarily mild or moderate.
Why PROVENGE is unlike other prostate cancer treatment methods
PROVENGE is not a chemotherapyThe
use of chemical agents in the treatment or control of disease (as in cancer). drug. Chemotherapy uses chemicals to treat diseases, such as cancer. However, with chemotherapy, the chemicals sometimes damage noncancerous healthy cells in the process of treatment.
PROVENGE is also different from hormone therapyTreatment that decreases the leve of hormones in the body.. Hormones are chemicals made by the body that control the activity of certain cells or organs. Hormone therapy in prostate cancer is used to decrease the level of testosteroneThe primary male sex hormone (androgen), produced by the testicles. Its chief function is to stimulate development of the male reproductive organs, such as the prostate, as well as male secondary sex characters, such as the beard. in the body.
PSA and PROVENGE
The prostate-specific antigen (PSA)A protein made by the prostate gland and by prostate cancer. A test for PSA is often used to screen for prostate cancer and to monitor some treatments for the disease. test is often used to monitor progression of prostate cancer and how effective your treatment may be at controlling the disease.
You and your doctor should be aware that changes in PSA levels may not be a good sign of how well PROVENGE is working. Even if your PSA levels don't change, PROVENGE may still be working. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about your PSA levels.
Next: PROVENGE Benefits
INDICATION
PROVENGE® (sipuleucel-T) is approved by the FDA as an autologous cellular immunotherapy
for the treatment of asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic metastatic castrate resistant (hormone refractory) prostate cancer.
PROVENGE is made from your own immune cells. Your cells will be collected at a cell collection center approximately 3 days before
each scheduled infusion of PROVENGE. There can be risks associated with the cell collection process, which you should discuss with
your doctor before deciding to begin treatment with PROVENGE.
PROVENGE can cause serious reactions. In controlled clinical trials for the treatment of prostate cancer, serious reactions
reported in patients in the PROVENGE group include reactions resulting from the infusion of the drug, which occurred within 1
day of infusion, and strokes. Severe infusion reactions included chills, fever, fatigue, weakness, breathing problems (shortness
of breath, decreased oxygen level, and wheezing), dizziness, headache, high blood pressure, muscle ache, nausea, and vomiting.
Tell your doctor right away if you have breathing problems, chest pains, racing heart or irregular heartbeats, dizziness, nausea,
or vomiting after getting PROVENGE because any of these may be signs of heart or lung problems.
The most common side effects reported with PROVENGE are chills, fatigue, fever, back pain, nausea, joint ache, and headache. These
are not all the possible side effects of PROVENGE treatment. For more information, talk with your doctor.
Tell your doctor about all your medical problems including heart problems, lung problems or a history of stroke.
Tell your doctor right away if you get a fever over 100°F, or redness at the cell collection or infusion sites,
because any of these may be signs of infection.
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription drugs, vitamins, and dietary supplements.
Tell your doctor about any side effect that concerns you or does not go away.
For more information on PROVENGE, please see the Full Prescribing Information or
call Dendreon ON Call at 1-877-336-3736.