Nuclear Oncology

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first therapeutic vaccine for prostate cancer. Provenge approval to (name of vaccine), designed to attack the immune system itself to the tumor, has become the first therapy of its kind that accepts the FDA.

Provenge, which has been developed by a Seattle-based company, Dendreon Corp., encourages self-defense system to attack cancer cells. Treatment involves removing the patient’s white blood cells, treated in the laboratory with a protein genetically modified to make them more potent against the tumor, and then re-enter the affected blood.

Using the person’s own blood cells, this therapy does not cause other side effects from chemotherapy (currently used against this disease).
For now, Provenge is indicated for those with prostate cancer who have stopped responding to hormone therapy.

With the participation of 512 men with this type of tumor, the clinical trial phase III IMPACT found that Provenge reduced the risk of mortality in these patients 22.5% compared with placebo and prolonged survival of four months half .
Mitchell H. Gold, president and CEO of Dendreon, said the finding is a reward for the constant search of hope for cancer: “The approval of Provenge is a recognition of the work of patients and researchers who are 15 years participating in trials for get this vaccine, “he said in a statement.

Dendreon CorpTras, which should provide the vaccine at 50 U.S. centers, hopes to increase its production capacity next year.