Authors' objectives:

The aim of this study was to summarize the available information on the use of Sipuleucel-T [Provenge (formerly APC8015)] and granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) gene-transduced tumour vaccine (GVAX) as therapeutic vaccines in men with metastatic hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC).

Authors' recommendations: There are no therapeutic vaccines approved for use for prostate cancer in Canada or the US. To be effective, a therapeutic vaccine must demonstrate the ability to elicit an appropriate tumour-specific response, and have a favourable safety profile. Provenge is safe and well-tolerated. It targets a specific protein for prostate cancer and demonstrates a statistically significant survival benefit. Further clinical trials should compare Provenge with the current treatment standard (Taxotere plus prednisone), as is being done in the GVAX clinical trials. GVAX is safe and well-tolerated. Because it is not patient specific, it will be available on an outpatient basis to any patient. If GVAX makes it to the market, it could prove to be a convenient addition to the limited treatment arsenal that is available for men with metastatic HRPC.

Authors' methods: Overview

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: https://www.ccohta.ca/

Year Published: 2005

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Canada

Organisation Name: Canadian Coordinating Office for Health Technology Assessment

Contact Address: 600-865 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1S 5S8 Canada. Tel: +1 613 226 2553, Fax: +1 613 226 5392;

Contact Name: requests@cadth.ca

Contact Email: requests@cadth.ca

Copyright: Canadian Coordinating Office for Health Technology Assessment (CCOHTA)