Sipuleucel-T was approved by the FDA for the treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, meaning those in whom initial hormone treatments have stopped working. It is intended for use in men who have no or few symptoms from cancer. It is not completely clear how it works, but because it was associated with a longer survival compared to a control group, it was approved for use. The way it works is that your own white blood cells are filtered out, sent to a laboratory for processing whereby a prostate cancer specific-protein is pushed into the white cells, and then the mixture is re-infused into the patient a few days later. This is repeated 3 times over 5 weeks and then the treatment is done.
The idea is that this process makes your own white blood cells "smarter" by giving them a target to attack. The target is a protein that is on the surface of the cancer cells but not on normal cells. By boosting this immune signal, it can specifically kill cancer cells.
Another approach to immunotherapy involves using drugs or vaccines, which may increase recognition of cancer in the body directly, without having to remove white cells. Several drugs that work this way are in late phase clinical trials.
Cancer may develop when the immune system breaks down or is not functioning adequately. Immunotherapy is designed to repair, stimulate or enhance your body's own immune responses. It may be used alone or in conjunction with other treatments, such as radiation therapy and hormone therapy.
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Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.