Patient Testimonials
A Proactive Approach to Unlocking More Therapeutic Options in the Fight Against Advanced Prostate Cancer
How a proven, personalized immunotherapy has helped extend the lives of over 40,000 men with advanced prostate cancer over its 15-year history.
Traditional treatments such chemotherapy, radiation and oral medications may have their place in cancer therapy, but often the role of a patient’s immune system is overlooked. For many patients dealing with the daunting diagnosis of advanced prostate cancer, they feel limited in their therapeutic options.
This was the case for Glenn when he was diagnosed with Stage IV prostate cancer in 2011.
“After my PSA rose to 965 during a check-up, I knew this was no longer routine,” says Glenn. He immediately scheduled an appointment with Dr. Benjamin Lowentritt, a leading urologist in the Maryland area, to begin treatment.
As more tests were performed, the results kept coming back with discouraging indications. Glenn’s cancer had metastasized to other parts of his body and the overall outlook of his health seemed grim.
“I finally got up the nerve to ask Dr. Lowentritt ‘How long do we have here?’ Given my test results, he was thinking maybe three years,” says Glenn.
“I was the third or fourth person in Maryland to get PROVENGE back in 2011. With the guidance of my doctors, I have been able to fight this disease for a long time. I’m looking forward to what’s down the road,”
Says Glenn
Immunotherapy Offers Hope
At the time of Glenn’s diagnosis, immunotherapy for advanced prostate cancer was very new. After discussing Glenn’s treatment goals and his desire to not pursue chemotherapy, Dr. Lowentritt recommended they take a more proactive and holistic approach to strengthen his immune system without taking other treatment options off the table.
PROVENGE® (sipuleucel-T) had recently become available as a personalized immunotherapy made from a patient’s own immune cells. It activates the body’s ability to keep fighting advanced prostate cancer over time and is a short duration treatment. PROVENGE strengthens the immune system to sustain the entire treatment journey as patients move from one therapy to another.
“Because of the mechanism of PROVENGE, and it building up the body’s natural immune system to fight the cancer, we don’t have to worry about it interacting with other medications the patient may be on. It doesn’t limit us in the direction we may want to take future cancer treatments. So, it really is a kind of foundational treatment that anything else can be laid on top of,” says Dr. Lowentritt, “This is why I continue to use PROVENGE with my patients today.”
Now nearly 15 years after first being diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer, Glenn has been able to navigate many therapies to help treat his disease.
Increased awareness about immunotherapy for the treatment of prostate cancer may help prolong lives. Patients are encouraged to talk to their doctors to determine if PROVENGE is right for them.
Please see Important Safety Information below and full Prescribing Information.
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INDICATION
PROVENGE® (sipuleucel-T) is a prescription medicine used to treat certain men with advanced prostate cancer. PROVENGE is an established cellular immunotherapy and is customized to each individual by using his own immune cells.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Before receiving PROVENGE®, tell your doctor about any medical conditions, including heart or lung problems, or if you have had a stroke.
Tell your doctor about any medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription drugs, vitamins, or dietary supplements.
The most common side effects of PROVENGE include chills, fatigue, fever, back pain, nausea, joint ache, and headache. These are not all the possible side effects of PROVENGE treatment.
PROVENGE is made from your own immune cells, which are collected during a process called leukapheresis. The cells are processed, returned, and then infused back into the patient through an IV (intravenous) infusion about 3 days later. This process is completed in 3 cycles, about 2 weeks apart. Each infusion takes approximately 1 hour and requires 30 minutes of post-infusion monitoring.
PROVENGE infusion can cause serious reactions. Tell your doctor right away if you:
- Have signs of a heart attack or lung problems, such as trouble breathing, chest pains, racing or irregular heartbeats, high or low blood pressure, dizziness, fainting, nausea, or vomiting
- Have signs of a stroke, such as numbness or weakness on one side of the body, decreased vision in one eye, or difficulty speaking
- Develop symptoms of thrombosis which may include: pain and/or swelling of an arm or leg with warmth over the affected area, discoloration of an arm or leg, shortness of breath, chest pain that worsens or deep breathing
- Have signs of infection such as a fever over 100°F, redness or pain at the infusion or collection sites
Tell your doctor about any side effect(s) that concerns you or does not go away. For more information, talk with your doctor.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
To report an adverse event, please email our Pharmacovigilance department at drugsafety@dendreon.com, or fax adverse event details to 833-464-0123. Please provide details pertaining to the adverse event and provide contact information so that our Pharmacovigilance team may contact you with any questions.
To report a product complaint, email our Quality department at CQAcomplaints@dendreon.com. Please provide details pertaining to the quality issue and provide contact information so that our Quality team may contact you with any questions.