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Any experiences with Provenge immunotherapy for prostate cancer?

Posted by sm0534 @sm0534, Nov 16, 2023

I have advanced stage of prostate cancer which has spread to other parts of my body like neck and chest. Oncologist recommended Provenge immunotherapy and I followed up with it.
Unfortunately after 6 months, PET scan shows new cells forming in those areas. Apparently Provenge hasn't worked and money has been wasted on this very expensive drug.
Does anybody have experience with Provenge and what would be my next steps. I have been taking Lupron and I tried XTANDI for which I had severe side effects

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kjbushur | @kjbushur | Oct 16 4:06pm
In reply to @kjbushur "Ive started this treatment. I was wondering how your treatment proceeded and your results. Ant side..." + (show)
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Ive started this treatment. I was wondering how your treatment proceeded and your results. Ant side effects during treatmentThank you

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Thank you for your response. It was very informative

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kjbushur | @kjbushur | Oct 16 5:47pm
In reply to @jeffmarc "I know a couple of people that have had it, results are long-term. None of them..." + (show)
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I know a couple of people that have had it, results are long-term. None of them reported serious problems, but side effects are possible. You are supposed to get Provenge when your PSA is very low.

Here is some detailed information about side effects from one of the PCRI conferences.

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 approximately three days later. This process is completed in three cycles, about two weeks apart. Each infusion takes approximately one 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 on deep breathing
• Have signs of infection such as fever over 100°F, redness or pain at the infusion or collection sites.
Tell your doctor about any side effect that concerns you or does not go away. For more information, talk with your doctor.

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@jeffmarc
Thank you

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majed | @majed | Oct 24 1:49am

Hi
I want to ask about privenge for proatate cancer, and where my husbamd can recieve it

Thanks

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4 replies
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jsh327 | @jsh327 | Oct 24 5:25am
In reply to @majed "Hi I want to ask about privenge for proatate cancer, and where my husbamd can recieve..." + (show)
Profile picture for majed @majed

Hi
I want to ask about privenge for proatate cancer, and where my husbamd can recieve it

Thanks

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If you already have a prostate cancer specialists medical oncologist, that is the usual first step. If not, you can look on the Provenge.com website. There is a “find a doctor” link that can be used find a doctor in your area that can prescribe and administer.

A prostate cancer specialist medical oncologist can best explain the PCa stage at which Provenge may have some potential.

It is no longer a first line treatment based upon treatment results since first approved for treating prostate cancer over 15 years ago.

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jeff Marchi | @jeffmarc | Oct 24 11:13am
In reply to @majed "Hi I want to ask about privenge for proatate cancer, and where my husbamd can recieve..." + (show)
Profile picture for majed @majed

Hi
I want to ask about privenge for proatate cancer, and where my husbamd can recieve it

Thanks

Jump to this post

They do like people to have a low PSA when they take Provenge. It’s more successful over the long term if the PSA is low at the time it is done.. Not sure how low his PSA is getting with the chemotherapy.

The oncologist that is working with you with chemotherapy is the one to ask about getting Provenge.

Provenge can cause a lot of side effects. You should ask the doctor about what the most common ones are.

Common side effects 10% of people
Chills, Fever, Fatigue, Joint pain, Nausea, Headache, Dizziness, and Tremors.
Less common (occurring in 1-10% of patients): Anemia, Allergic reactions, Stroke, Heart attack, and Blood clots.
Rare (occurring in less than 1% of patients): lung problems, urinary tract infection, and death.

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duberdicus | @duberdicus | Oct 25 10:03am
In reply to @jeffmarc "They do like people to have a low PSA when they take Provenge. It’s more successful..." + (show)
Profile picture for jeff Marchi @jeffmarc

They do like people to have a low PSA when they take Provenge. It’s more successful over the long term if the PSA is low at the time it is done.. Not sure how low his PSA is getting with the chemotherapy.

The oncologist that is working with you with chemotherapy is the one to ask about getting Provenge.

Provenge can cause a lot of side effects. You should ask the doctor about what the most common ones are.

Common side effects 10% of people
Chills, Fever, Fatigue, Joint pain, Nausea, Headache, Dizziness, and Tremors.
Less common (occurring in 1-10% of patients): Anemia, Allergic reactions, Stroke, Heart attack, and Blood clots.
Rare (occurring in less than 1% of patients): lung problems, urinary tract infection, and death.

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@jeffmarc
That does not sound all that great.

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thmssllvn | @thmssllvn | Oct 25 10:45am
In reply to @majed "Hi I want to ask about privenge for proatate cancer, and where my husbamd can recieve..." + (show)
Profile picture for majed @majed

Hi
I want to ask about privenge for proatate cancer, and where my husbamd can recieve it

Thanks

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Blacks appear to benefit from it more so than whites (How much?). The race or PSA level has not been volunteered.

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | 6 days ago
In reply to @kjbushur "Ive started this treatment. I was wondering how your treatment proceeded and your results. Ant side..." + (show)
Profile picture for kjbushur @kjbushur

Ive started this treatment. I was wondering how your treatment proceeded and your results. Ant side effects during treatmentThank you

Jump to this post

@kjbushur and @majed, I moved your questions about Provenge (sipuleucel-T), a personalized immunotherapy for advanced, asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic prostate cancer to this related discussion:
- Any experiences with Provenge immunotherapy for prostate cancer?https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/provenge-effectiveness/

I did this so you can connect with others members like @sm0534 @juangui @nishok @kayakbob @austin7 @lorenze76 @newby82 who have experience with Provenge.

@majed, has Provenge been recommened as the next treatment for your husband?

@kjbushur, how is treatment going for you?

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2 replies
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kjbushur | @kjbushur | 6 days ago
In reply to @colleenyoung "@kjbushur and @majed, I moved your questions about Provenge (sipuleucel-T), a personalized immunotherapy for advanced, asymptomatic..." + (show)
Profile picture for Colleen Young, Connect Director @colleenyoung

@kjbushur and @majed, I moved your questions about Provenge (sipuleucel-T), a personalized immunotherapy for advanced, asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic prostate cancer to this related discussion:
- Any experiences with Provenge immunotherapy for prostate cancer?https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/provenge-effectiveness/

I did this so you can connect with others members like @sm0534 @juangui @nishok @kayakbob @austin7 @lorenze76 @newby82 who have experience with Provenge.

@majed, has Provenge been recommened as the next treatment for your husband?

@kjbushur, how is treatment going for you?

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I have completed my 3 treatments. After my 1st treatment I blacked out. So for the 2nd and 3rd treatment I had the wait time extended an additional hour. Im currently scheduled to have a PET scan 12-30-25, you se if thr treatment gained ground with cancer in my bone . I keep my fingers crossed

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