How Does the Prostate Cancer Vaccine Work?
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Updated January 14, 2015.
The much-touted prostate cancer vaccine, also known by its trade name Provenge, now has approval from the FDA for sale in the United States. Many doctors believe that this treatment represents a big step forward for prostate cancer therapy.
First of all, Provenge is considered a "vaccine" because it puts the body's immune system to use to fight prostate cancer.
The vaccine is made for each individual who is going to be treated with it. To make the vaccine, a sample of the patient's immune cells (specifically dendritic cells) is sent to a laboratory where they are "taught" to attack cancerous prostate cells by exposing them to proteins found only on prostate cancer cells.
After a few days, the patient's cells are re-injected into his body where they will hopefully begin attacking prostate cancer cells.
This process is repeated three times overall at two week intervals between doses.
Yes and no.
Childhood immunizations are what typically come to mind when the word "vaccine" is used.
The prostate cancer vaccine is similar to other vaccines with which most men are more familiar (like childhood vaccines) in that a substance is injected into the body that stimulates the immune system to attack something in the body that is not supposed to be there (in this case, prostate cancer cells).
The prostate cancer vaccine differs from other vaccines in an important way though.
Childhood vaccines are intended, nearly always, to prevent a future illness - such as measles, mumps, the flu, etc. The prostate cancer vaccine, on the other hand, is not used to prevent prostate cancer, but is used as a treatment in men who already have the disease. In fact, the prostate cancer vaccine is currently only being used in men with very advanced prostate cancer.
Sources:
Kumar, Robbins and Cotran: Pathologic Basis of Disease, 7th ed. 2005.
FDA Press Release April 29, 2010
Updated January 14, 2015.
The much-touted prostate cancer vaccine, also known by its trade name Provenge, now has approval from the FDA for sale in the United States. Many doctors believe that this treatment represents a big step forward for prostate cancer therapy.
How Does the Prostate Cancer Vaccine Work?
First of all, Provenge is considered a "vaccine" because it puts the body's immune system to use to fight prostate cancer.
The vaccine is made for each individual who is going to be treated with it. To make the vaccine, a sample of the patient's immune cells (specifically dendritic cells) is sent to a laboratory where they are "taught" to attack cancerous prostate cells by exposing them to proteins found only on prostate cancer cells.
After a few days, the patient's cells are re-injected into his body where they will hopefully begin attacking prostate cancer cells.
This process is repeated three times overall at two week intervals between doses.
Is the Prostate Cancer Vaccine Like Other Vaccines?
Yes and no.
Childhood immunizations are what typically come to mind when the word "vaccine" is used.
The prostate cancer vaccine is similar to other vaccines with which most men are more familiar (like childhood vaccines) in that a substance is injected into the body that stimulates the immune system to attack something in the body that is not supposed to be there (in this case, prostate cancer cells).
The prostate cancer vaccine differs from other vaccines in an important way though.
Childhood vaccines are intended, nearly always, to prevent a future illness - such as measles, mumps, the flu, etc. The prostate cancer vaccine, on the other hand, is not used to prevent prostate cancer, but is used as a treatment in men who already have the disease. In fact, the prostate cancer vaccine is currently only being used in men with very advanced prostate cancer.
Sources:
Kumar, Robbins and Cotran: Pathologic Basis of Disease, 7th ed. 2005.
FDA Press Release April 29, 2010
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