Sipuleucel-T

The immune system has the remarkable ability to kills cells considered dangerous, such as infected cells or cancer cells. However, in most patients with progressive cancer, anti-cancer immune responses either never develop or are ‘turned off’ by the cancer. Cancer vaccines can be given as a treatment to stimulate the immune system to recognize and fight cancer cells.

 Sipuleucel-T (Provenge®) is a prostate cancer cellular therapy that has been approved by the FDA for patients with mCRPC. This treatment is meant for patients with minimal or no pain and is most commonly given before chemotherapy.

The treatment process involves drawing blood, filtering out your immune cells, stimulating them in a lab to fight prostate cancer, and then reinfusing those cells back into you intravenously (via IV). This process is repeated every 2 weeks for a total of 3 treatments. This immunotherapy does not typically lower PSA, treat symptoms, or improve disease response rates—however, it has been shown to prolong life. There are ongoing studies to clarify exactly how this treatment works.

Sipuleucel-T can only be given in certain centers, and you should discuss with your doctor whether it is appropriate for you. Side effects are generally limited, such as flu-like symptoms occurring within a few days after the infusion.

Last Reviewed: 12/2023