I have heard back that a number of people have contacted the call center at Dendreon (877-336-3736) and been told to call back at a later date for specific information about getting treatment. I have spoken with Dendreon and they have explained that they are working with the various infusion centers on mapping out specific schedules to accommodate men wanting Provenge. Over the course of the next few weeks, through the call center, they will begin to release the information about which infusion centers to contact.
So, if you meet the approved label requirements:
1- Have metastatic disease.
2- Be castrate resistant (failed ADT).
3- Be asymptomatic (not have any or minimal symptoms).
And want to be among the 2,000 men this year who will get Provenge you should be aggressive in contacting the call center. At a minimum, I recommend that you contact the call center every day, if not more often.
If you are willing, you should tell the call center that you are willing to travel to another location. This will expand the number of possible sites available to you and increase the chance of winning the lottery, getting Provenge.
Happy Provenging!!!!
Joel T Nowak, MA, MSW
Good advice–it works! After several calls to Dendreon, we contacted a number of infusion sites and made an appointment at one of them this week. It helped that we were flexible and willing to travel long distances–by car or plane. My husband has castrate-resistant advanced prostate cancer with bone metastases but is asymptomatic (no pain). His PSA is 426 and rising. Surgery in 2002, radiation twice (prostate bed in 2004 and neck in 2008 plus SRRT), hormone therapy throughout 2008, and two clinical trials in 2009/2010.
Good advice–it works! After several calls to Dendreon, we contacted a number of infusion sites and made an appointment at one of them this week. It helped that we were flexible and willing to travel long distances–by car or plane. My husband has castrate-resistant advanced prostate cancer with bone metastases but is asymptomatic (no pain). His PSA is 426 and rising. Surgery in 2002, radiation twice (prostate bed in 2004 and neck in 2008 plus SBRT), hormone therapy throughout 2008, and two clinical trials in 2009/2010.
Red Rocker: Thank you for sharing the news about getting an appointment with an infusion site. Was it hard to find out this information? We are working hard to get my father connected to a site as well. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Contact the Dendreon Call Center and they should give you the contact information for the infusion centers near where you live.
Joel