FDA Could Approve Prostate Cancer Vaccine

Urologists and others in Health Care are watching this potential breakthrough closely.

By: Tina Tyus-Shaw | WSAV News 3
Published: April 26, 2010

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(Savannah) The vaccine is called Provenge. Dr. Samuel Torres with Urological Associates of Savannah says if the FDA gives Provenge the green light it would be a major step in treating prostate cancer. “The uniqueness of this vaccine is the fact that it’s using your own cells to be able to stimulate your own body to be able to provide something that would sort of infuse in the body to fight against this cancer.” Provenge would be for patients with advanced prostate cancer. It's certainly not a cure, but Researchers think the vaccine may extend a patient's life up to 4 months.
“I wish they would have more than 4 1/2 months. That's the way I look at the disease. And I think 41/2 months to somebody whose got it is a lot of months," says Dr. Torres. Provenge is very expensive.... costing between $50,000 and $75,000.
The FDA is supposed to decide later this week.