Comments on: Dendreon’s Provenge Reduced Prostate Cancer Risk

By: Dale Frankfurth

Dale Frankfurth — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 15:27:27 +0000

Let’s all pray for John Cialis. God is the only cure for his disease. Provenge just could be the most patient-friendly treatment for our (my) type of metastatic (to bone) prostate cancer.

By: Orville Jones

Orville Jones — Fri, 01 May 2009 14:36:06 +0000

Hi,

I whole-heartedly agree with the strong messages I have been reading with people in basically the same position as me.

I will be 80 years old this July (7-28-09). I was tested for metastasized prostate cancer on 02-25-05 (Friday) after my PSA reached 32, and found free of bone cancer. Felt pretty good. Witnessed the birth of my first grandchild later that night. The following Monday when I visited my Urologist, I got the good news and then the bad news - free of bone cancer, BUT had cancer of my lymph nodes. I was put on estrogen hormone therapy (estrogen is the inexpensive method to counter testosterone-production, which feeds the cancer cells). My PSA went down to below 1.0.

When I changed Urologist about two years later (12-15-06), he immediately put me on Lupron (30 mg. injection every 4 mo.) because of potential blood clotting with estrogen. Too late, I wound up with a blood clot in my left thigh three weeks later. The Lupron Hormone Treatment has been effective, but now my PSA has crept up to 1.2. The rate of increase up to 2.0 and higher is considered critical. Blocking Testosterone-production holds the cancer in check, up to a point.

Now, one point of concern with the low level of testosterone in my body is muscle-loss and weight-gain. I have one burning question in regard to the Provenge Therapy/Treatment, which I seem unable to find on the Internet - if I use this treatment, will my testosterone be allowed to return to its normal level.

Actually, I have more than one “burning question”. How can I get on a test program? If not possible, where can I go to get the Provenge Treatment while the FDA is screwing around with only “absolutely astounding results acceptable” in the meantime and at what $ price - Sweden, Russia, Canada, Mexico?

Orville Jones

By: Paul Hoskins

Paul Hoskins — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 23:22:57 +0000

The current 13 metastatic prostate tumours I have on my spine, ribs and pelvis are currently “under control” via anti-androgen therapy (after radiation). Being a young 61 years old I surf the net reading the news regarding abirterone, celecoxib, Provenge, MDV3100 et-al hoping that something will be out there when my tumours start producing their own testosterone. My bone pain is managable now and I have no desire to suffer the “miserable death” that goes with this disease.

By: John Cialis

John Cialis — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 20:44:24 +0000

You lousy crybabies. I hope you all die in hell. Provenge is bullshit and the FDA should deny approval.

By: Harold Medlin

Harold Medlin — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 00:00:02 +0000

Surely they will approve Provenge THIS year (2009). If not I may not be around to reap the benefits. My oncologist tells me that I would be an idea canidate for this mediation but it may not do me much good NEXT YEAR!

I have,however, instructed my children to invest highly in Dentreon (DNDN)…either way.

IT WILL BE APPROVED SOME DAY.

By: sal

sal — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 20:46:38 +0000

With the latest phase 3 study coming to an early end I am hopeful for all afflicted that this drug / treatment is approved sooner vs later. I would imagin that the FDA may have a riot on thier hands if they say ” nope,,,, we needed a 22% and we only got a 20%” but ya never know these guys are like accountants who have not one creative bone in thier body. let’s hope for the best.

By: crash

crash — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 00:23:01 +0000

I`ve been thinking for months for something nice to say of our FDA. Well, excuse me, I have more thinking to do

By: Todd Seals

Todd Seals — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 01:02:48 +0000

Ed,
Im 44 years old and have been living with this monster for 28 months. It’s in my bones and in my lungs and my psa was 3216. Hormones have served me well and I am thankful for the time I have had but thier days of effectiveness may be coming to an end as psa levels have begun to rise from .09 six months ago to .80 today. It would be so wonderful to have a little hope on the horizon with provenge. Is the F.D.A. insane. What can we do when money seems to be the underlying cause of this buerocratic (sorry for the miss-spelling)wrong doing. I have felt pain I never knew existed and am starting to realize that this death sentence will be a long painful ordeal. We Prostate-Cancer patients in need of Prvenge. Thank you for putting out the word.

By: Stephen Study

Stephen Study — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 16:27:58 +0000

My Dad died waiting for Provenge. Like others with this disease, it was heartbreaking for our family to sit there and watch an otherwise vibrant 65 year old man wither away and endure horrible suffering that ended in a painful death 8 months later.

So yes, I get a bit emotional when I think of the fact that 1 in 5 men with terminal prostate cancer won’t get more time with their families and will have to go through what we and many others have been through all because of 2%.

20% instead of 22%? For God Sake!

We’d like to of had that chance for Dad.
For us and many others this isn’t just an academic exercise. Real men with real families are dying while they wait. From here the decisions of the FDA look capricious and mean spirited. Here is a treatment that continues to show positive results with little to no discernable downsides as compared to the alternative standard treatments and yet we wait to hit just a little higher target.

For our family it was too long a wait.

Respectfully,
Stephen Study

By: Teddyboy

Teddyboy — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 18:28:37 +0000

Ed,
As an advanced prostate cancer patient I want to thank you for your courage in writing the truth about Provenge.
20% as opposed to 22%, I beg the FDA to grant at least a “conditional approval” on Provenge so men like me can access this immunotherapy.
Please allow us access to a safe and effective therapy that will enhance what life we have left.
On behalf of myself, my family, my friends and all the men in my position…DO THE RIGHT THING, APPROVE PROVENGE NOW!!!
May God Bless all those who fight to right this terrible wrong.
Ted Girgus