Immunotherapy and Prostate Canter

[gusgold]

Darryl posted about Dr. Sartor using immunotherapy as a last treatment option in dying PCa patients. Most of the time immunotherapy only buys 4 months if it works at all. Why is this...could it be your immune system is over matched by an opponent that is too strong by the time insurance will pay for immunotherapy. What if you could try immunotherapy while your cancer is still hormone sensitive. Motosue posted he is getting good results with Lupron - Zytiga - Xtandi. So my question is what would happen if your treatment was Lupron - Zytiga - Xtandi - Provenge. I believe I could obtain L + Z + X but How do I obtain P...anyone have any ideas...right now I talked to 2 Onco's and they both said I have to be CR or pay out of pocket. The out of pocket cost for Provenge is $100,000...normally I would hit my old man up for a loan but he is dead.

Gus

[dlestercarlson]

I've had the provenge treatment. There was a narrow window in my treatment where I could qualify. The cost is high but I've always wondered why when you were first diagnosed with Prostate cancer that this was an option that was available. Somehow the cost of this and other treatments needs to come down.

[leswell]

On a related issue, I’ve been thinking about inhaled marijuana vapor and its ability to lessen anxiety. (No need to reply. Just thanks for the frank discussion about regulations.) Nalakrats, your last post about where cancer was hiding for Jerry during 12 years was so sad, yet important. All those replies! We still think of him and wonder about that with you. Mrs. S.

P.S. It was 83 degrees in the yard for the first time in over seven months. We sat on straight-backed chairs for two hours, too lazy to lug the comfy ones out of the rubbermaid shed. What glorious weather with rabbits nearby looking us in the eye, cardinal polyphony, and one cat slinking behind the garden way back by the technys stalking prey. The most dramatic site was of a commercial jet, low and directly overhead and about to land.

Yesterday we planted several hundred onions, a first-time seasonal effort for which we paid the price today. Much of the family is heading home from LA, AZ, and China. One brother even showed up in Apple News on National Geographic’s best trips in the U.S. Good photo in Cajun country but hilarious to me. That cannot be my little brother. Jan

P.S. Great post, gusgold. I’ve thought about Zytiga or Xtandi with Provenge. Not covered together by our insurance either. Would you place a bet with me on which drug will be chosen for my dear next week? Maybe scans first. My bet will be on Zytiga (plus Prednisone).