Provenge (Sipuleucel-T) is the first therapeutic vaccine for prostate cancer, indicated for individuals whose body no longer responds to the usual treatment. This new treatment reduces the risk of mortality and prolongs survival in advanced cases for approximately another 4 months.
This drug stimulates the individual's immune system to attack the cancer cells but for that they extract white blood cells from the individual, which after being treated in the laboratory with a genetically modified protein, become more resistant to the tumor.
Indications
Provenge (Sipuleucel-T) is indicated for the treatment of prostate cancer when radiotherapy does not have the expected effect.
Price
The price of Provenge is approximately 147, 000 reais, however, it can vary according to each individualized vaccine and the degree of cancer development, for example. Usually this medicine is not used in Brazil.
How to use
Usually the oncologist indicates the use of 3 doses of this medication that must be injected directly into the vein, with interval of 2 weeks between each dose.
Side effects
The most common side effects include chills, tiredness, fever, back pain, nausea, joint pain, and headache.
Contraindications
There is no reason why the medicine is made especially for each person with their own defense cells. However, this medication should be used with caution in people who are prone to thromboembolism, heart or lung disease.
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