A $39,000 prostate cancer vaccine, Provenge (sipuleucel-T), for patients with advanced disease that extends survival by an average of four months has been recommended by the Medicare Evidence Development & Coverage Advisory Committee (MEDCAC). Although the Committee’s recommendation is not binding, Medicare tends to go along with its advice. Medicare is a US federal insurance program for elderly or disabled patients.

Mitchel H. Gold, MD, President and CEO of Dendreon Corporation, the creators of Provenge, said:

    “Provenge is an important new treatment for patients with asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer. We look forward to working closely with CMS throughout the NCA process to ensure patients with advanced prostate cancer have access to Provenge.”

Provenge is indicated for the treatment of asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic metastatic, hormone refractory (castrate resistant) prostate cancer. It is made from the patient’s own white blood cells, which are removed from the patient, treated with the medication, and then placed back into him. The treatment triggers the immune system to kill cancer cells.

Provenge is given intravenously in three doses in two-week intervals.

Provenge was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in April 2010.

There are approximately 217,730 new cases of prostate cancer each year in the USA, and 32,050 deaths. In 2007 there were 36,101 new cases diagnosed in the United Kingdom, approximately one every 15 minutes. 10% of males in the UK will get prostate cancer some time during their lives.

Very few cases appear before the age of 50 years. Approximately 75% of all prostate cancer cases are diagnosed in men aged 65 or more, with most being diagnosed at 70 to 74 years.

According to Cancer Research UK, prostate cancer incidence according to age is:

  • 151 per 100,000 for 55-59 year olds
  • 515 per 100,00 for 65-69 year olds
  • 744 per 100,000 for those aged 85+

An estimated 913,000 males were diagnosed in 2008 worldwide, over two-thirds of them in developed nations. Developed countries have the highest incidence because of the practice of PSA (prostate specific antigen) testing and subsequent biopsies.

The incidence of prostate cancer among African-Americans is 50% higher than American-Caucasians. Asian-Americans have the lowest incidence of prostate cancer in the USA.

Sources: Medicare, Dendreon Corporation

Written by Christian Nordqvist