Immunotherapy for Prostate Cancer
Immunotherapy is a type of treatment that uses a patient’s own immune system to combat diseases such as prostate cancer. There are many different types of immunotherapy, which work in different ways. For instance, some immunotherapies boost the body’s immune system in a general way, while others train the immune system to target and attack specific types of cells or proteins.
Immunotherapy treatment options for prostate cancer
Immunotherapy is showing promise as a treatment for prostate cancer, including metastatic cancers that have started resisting other treatment options. In fact, prostate cancer is the only type of cancer with an FDA-approved cancer vaccine.
Cancer vaccines
Unlike common vaccines we know for preventing viruses like the flu, cancer vaccines get the immune system to identify and attack cancer cells that are already present in the body. Provenge® is a cancer vaccine that the FDA approved as an immunotherapy treatment for advanced prostate cancer. This particular vaccine is made specifically for each patient, as the patient’s own immune cells are altered to target the PAP protein of prostate cancer cells. While there is no known cure for cancer, this treatment can help men with advanced stages of prostate cancer live longer and enjoy a higher quality of life. Other cancer vaccines are being studied, with some available through clinical trials for qualifying patients.
Moffitt’s approach to prostate cancer immunotherapy
Moffitt Cancer Center is a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center – the only Comprehensive Cancer Center based in Florida. This designation reflects our dedication to both clinical excellence and research efforts. Our team is continually working on groundbreaking immunotherapy treatments for all types of cancer, including prostate cancer. Our robust clinical trials program is constantly evolving.
Moffitt takes a multispecialty approach to prostate cancer treatment, which means that our team includes all types of physicians – surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists and more – and all of them are trained in the treatment of prostate cancer, specifically. Individualized treatment plans are developed collaboratively, with all elements working together to yield the best results and a higher quality of life for our patients.
To learn more about immunotherapy for prostate cancer or to speak with an oncologist specializing in prostate cancer treatment, call 1-888-663-3488 or fill out our new patient registration form online. New patients are welcome to visit Moffitt with or without a referral.