Sipuleucel-T is customized for each patient. Before treatment, blood is removed from the patient in a process called leukapheresis.
Specific immune cells are separated from the blood taken by the patient, then modified in the laboratory, then put back into the patient's body. At this point, the patient's immune system will recognize and destroy prostate cancer cells.
It is difficult to know if this treatment works effectively to treat cancer because it has not been shown to shrink tumors, lower PSA levels, or control cancer from getting worse.
However, results from clinical trials have shown that prostate cancer treatment with sipuleucel-T vaccine therapy may improve survival in men with little or no metastatic prostate cancer compared with treatment without vaccine therapy.
Vaccine Therapy For Treatment of prostate cancer
Sipuleucel-T (Provenge) is a cancer vaccine. The vaccine material is made by the body itself or in the laboratory to boost the immune system, target, or restore the functioning of the immune system.
This vaccine is made specifically for each individual. To make it, the white blood cells (immune system cells) are removed from the patient's blood (leukapheresis) for several hours, using a special machine.
The cells are then sent to the laboratory and treated with a process called prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP).
The cells are then sent back to the hospital to be given back to you with an IV to the blood vessels (IV, intravenous tubes).
This process is repeated 2 times, 2 weeks apart, so you get 3 doses of cells. These cells will boost the immune system to attack prostate cancer.
Side effects of the Sipuleucel-T vaccine
Side effects of vaccines tend to be lighter than those from hormone therapy or chemotherapy. Common side effects can include fever, chills, fatigue, back and joint pain, nausea, and headaches.
This condition usually begins and during the infusion of cells lasting no more than a few days. Some people may have severe side effects, including respiratory problems and high blood pressure. However, it will improve after getting better treatment.
