Overview
Provenge is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of adults with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) who have few or no symptoms. It is typically used in people who no longer respond to hormone therapy (also called hormone-refractory or castrate-resistant). Provenge is also known by its drug name, sipuleucel-T.

Provenge is classified as an autologous cellular immunotherapy made from a person’s own immune cells. Scientists believe it works by training the immune system to recognize and attack prostate cancer cells through a targeted immune response.

How do I take it?
Prescribing information states that Provenge is given as an intravenous (IV) infusion over about 60 minutes. The full course of treatment typically consists of three doses, each given about two weeks apart. Before each dose, a person’s immune cells are collected and processed to create the personalized treatment. People are usually premedicated with acetaminophen and an antihistamine to reduce the risk of infusion reactions. Provenge should be administered exactly as prescribed by a healthcare provider.

Side effects
Common side effects of Provenge include chills, fatigue, fever, back pain, nausea, joint pain, and headache.

Rare but serious side effects may include acute infusion reactions, syncope (fainting), hypotension (low blood pressure), thromboembolic events (blood clots), and vascular problems. Provenge may also carry a risk of transmitting infections since it is made from human cells, and it should be handled using universal precautions.

For more information about this treatment, visit:
Provenge (Sipuleucel-T) Suspension for Intravenous Infusion — Dendreon Pharmaceuticals