FDA Approves Provenge for the Treatment of Prostate Cancer
The prostate is a group of 30-50 exocrine glands that is part of the reproduction system unique to men. Cancer of the prostate gland is typically found as a result of routine screenings, or if a patient experiences certain symptoms ranging from erectile dysfunction to difficulty in urination.
Provenge is the result of years of research and experimental trials aimed at the treatment of certain types of cancers. Currently, testing for similar treatments for melanoma and neuroblastoma are in the latest stages of development and approval.
The drug Provenge is reported to treat prostate cancer by teaching the body's immune system to fight cancer as it would normally fight off less serious ailments like the common cold. It has been stipulated that when cancer is present in the body, the immune system may be in effect, turned off, and Provenge is designed to reactivate the natural defenses of the body.
Provenge is actually an immunotherapy drug that is unique to each patient being treated for prostate cancer because it uses cells extracted from the blood of the patient in addition to the other components of the medication.
Dr. Andrew Armstrong of the Duke University Medical Center explains that Provenge works by improving the response of the immune system to the prostate cancer. This improvement is said to result in a reduction in the amount of cancer cells present in the body. Provenge is intended for use in conjunction with existing treatments for prostate cancer like radiation seeding, hormonal therapy, chemotherapy, and surgery.
This new addition to the treatment regime of prostate cancer has been shown to increase the survival of men that have been diagnosed with this type of cancer by 3 to 4 months. The FDA's approval of Provenge certainly bodes well for the future of immunotherapy research for the treatment and eventual cure of all forms of cancer.
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Published by Dallas Bolen
I am happily married, and living in WV with my husband and two dogs. My career has spanned many areas of healthcare. I have many interests, the most important being ongoing educational endeavors. View profile
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