Provenge Is Talk of GU Malignancies Congress

Provenge, an FDA-approved therapeutic vaccine for prostate cancer, was highlighted as a new paradigm in oncology at the 10th International Congress on Genitourinary Malignancies. The vaccine, sipuleucel-T, was designed to induce an immune response against prostatic acid phosphatase and showed improved survival in three Phase III studies involving approximately 700 patients. The pivotal IMPACT trial with about 500 patients demonstrated a median survival extension of four months and a 22.5% reduction in the risk of death. Despite its high cost, Provenge was considered a significant advancement in treating metastatic hormone-refractory prostate cancer. Additionally, a second vaccine, Prostvac-VF, was under development, showing promise in early trials. Common side effects of these vaccines included fatigue and fever, with severe reactions being rare. The Prostate Cancer Foundation supported the development of such vaccines, hoping they would lead to preventive options. Concerns about the cost and coverage of Provenge were discussed, with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services conducting a national coverage analysis. The congress also addressed the use of 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors for prostate cancer prevention, despite mixed perceptions among physicians regarding their efficacy and safety.