After having lymph nodes and right lung metastasis test negative for lung cancer and providing radiation, I am now being prepared for Provenge treatment. I still have upcoming radiation for a spinal lesion and left iliac lesion.
Anyone with Provenge suggestions/thoughts?
Thank you!
Bring an ipad or iphone with headphones and movies to watch. Leukapheresis is long and boring and you can't move your arms.
Thanks, Tall, will do.
Also, bring your significant other to help you pee 
V10fanatic, great idea!
Are you castrate resistant? What was your PSA at initiation of Provenge?
I was not CR, so I had to pay out of pocket for provenge. I had flu like symptoms when I got home after infusion # 3. Interestingly, I think mine may be working. I am 32 months into ‘vacation’ # 2 with a stable PSA and clear PSMA scan. Just prior to both vacation #1 and #2, i did systemic treatments (ADT & Zytega) and SBRT to my mets. But it only Provenge before #2. #1 lasted 18 months before a met was found. #2 still going strong month 32. The only difference? Provenge. I believe it may work better on hormone sensitive men but has never been tested for that. But in the trial, they did do on castrate resistant men, it was a clear trend showing lower starting PSA and initiation of treatment with Provenge, the better the result good luck with yours.
Schwah
Schwah, my PSA was .21 in December, when I got my Lupron shot, and last week it was .23. My oncologist said my PSA should have been going down, not up, so he is recommending Provenge. I get my veins assessed next week, then on to treatment.
I hope I get that fortunate. I was a debatable castrate resistance. PSA had risen from .97 in September 2022 to 1.92 in September 2024. BUT--PET scans, first Axumin repeat followed by first ever PSMA seemed to show reversal prior to starting Provenge. Strange world.
I followed up Provenge in September 2024 with radiation to prostate and pelvis November 20, 2024-January 22, 2025. Now we monitor for the rest of the year.
Provenge treatments, suggestions and thoughts?
From the small a and the big I. <---<<<
ChatGPT said:
Provenge (sipuleucel-T) is an FDA-approved immunotherapy used to treat metastatic prostate cancer that is resistant to hormone therapy (also known as castration-resistant prostate cancer). It is a form of personalized cancer treatment, using the patient’s own immune cells to target and fight cancer.
Here are some key points and suggestions regarding Provenge:
How Provenge Works:
Autologous Vaccine: Provenge is made by collecting a patient’s dendritic cells (a type of white blood cell) through a process called leukapheresis. These cells are then exposed to a protein (PAP) that is found in prostate cancer cells, and they are re-infused back into the patient’s bloodstream to stimulate an immune response against prostate cancer.
Immune Response: The goal is to train the immune system to recognize and attack prostate cancer cells more effectively.
Treatment Process:
Leukapheresis: The first step involves a procedure where blood is drawn from the patient, and the dendritic cells are separated from the rest of the blood.
Culturing: The dendritic cells are then exposed to the PAP protein and cultured for several days.
Infusion: After being cultured, the modified cells are returned to the patient’s bloodstream via infusion. This process is typically done over three sessions, each about two weeks apart.
Efficacy:
Provenge has shown to extend survival by a few months in patients with metastatic prostate cancer who are no longer responding to hormone therapy. Clinical studies suggest that while Provenge may not provide a dramatic reduction in tumor size, it can increase overall survival compared to standard treatments.
Side Effects:
Common Side Effects: Fever, chills, fatigue, headache, and joint pain. These are typically mild and temporary.
Severe Side Effects: Rarely, severe side effects may include infections or allergic reactions, but these are uncommon.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
Survival Benefit: Provenge has been shown to offer a survival advantage, particularly for men with advanced, hormone-resistant prostate cancer.
Personalized Treatment: Since it uses the patient’s own cells, there’s a lower risk of adverse immune reactions.
Non-Chemotherapy: Unlike chemotherapy, Provenge works by stimulating the immune system rather than directly attacking cancer cells, leading to fewer side effects like nausea and hair loss.
Cons:
Cost: Provenge is very expensive, and not all insurance plans may cover the treatment.
Limited Effectiveness: The survival benefit is modest, with an average extension of life by about 4.1 months. It's not a cure, and its effectiveness varies by patient.
Time-Consuming: The process of preparing and infusing the treatment can take several weeks, which may not be ideal for all patients.
Considerations:
Appropriate Candidates: Provenge is typically considered for patients with advanced prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body and who are not responding to hormone therapy. It is not effective in all patients.
Other Treatments: Provenge is often used in combination with other therapies, such as hormone therapy, chemotherapy, or newer drugs like enzalutamide or abiraterone, depending on the patient's individual case.
Final Thoughts:
Provenge can be an effective treatment for some patients with advanced prostate cancer, providing a survival benefit without the harsh side effects of chemotherapy. However, it is important to have a discussion with a healthcare provider to weigh the benefits and risks, considering individual circumstances, treatment goals, and available treatment options.
If you or someone you know is considering Provenge, a healthcare provider will be able to give more specific advice based on the patient’s health status and other therapies they may be receiving.
Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.
j-o-h-n
my only recommendation is to go with the chest port, ya it’s an extra procedure but seems to make it easier in the long run. I’m not afraid of needles but they use some pretty large bore needles that are uncomfortable, and I’ve got good veins but sometimes required multiple sticks. In hindsight I would have gone with a port. The port allows you to use your arms during the process. Also I recommend either Depends or a pad in case you gotta pee during the 3 hour process.
Ed
Make sure you go to the bathroom before the treatment starts because you can't move . I learned from my treatment it's not fun sitting for close to Three hours having to go. Never give up never surrender Leo
I am curious after reading this thread. It was mentioned that on average survival was increased by 4.1 months. Of the small sample of men above how long has it been since you completed the procedure and what has been your quality of life?
Thanks
Mgtd, they are prepping me next week for either arm or chest access, then three treatments over the next six weeks. Will let everyone know how it turns out!
Six months. Quality of life fine. But I followed it with radiation November-January, so some mild lingering SEs from radiation.
In my experience those will fad with time hopefully. No free lunch with this disease.
It's hard to tell if Provenge will work for an individual patient - results are a bell curve from no response to great response. But, as my MedOnc told me, "It's a fairly low risk treatment, and, if it works for you, the results may be great - somebody has to be the outlier at the good side of the curve" and "your PSA is extremely low, that's the men who had the best results in the trials". I took his advice after recurrence and spot radiation lowered my PSA, best thing I could have done, as it gave me 6 1/2 years of remission. If insurance will cover it, it's worth trying!
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