In the treatment of prostate cancer the first very expensive drug we had that was FDA approved was Provenge, with an initial cost of $93,000 for a one-month’s treatment protocol. Today, the cost is in excess of $106,000. According to the phase III clinical trial result Provenge extends life by a median of 4.1 months, [...]
Yesterday, the United States Senate debated the Defense Spending Bill. As expected Senator McCain’s amendment came up for debate. I have attached a link to the Congressional Record, which includes both Senator McCain’s remarks against continuing support for the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs as well as Senator Durbin’s response. If you are interested in [...]
The problems created by Senator McCain continue to be ever present. Our friend, Senator Durbin has asked that we provide his office with additional background about the military nature of the research performed by the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP), including the Prostate Cancer Research Program (PCRP). In addition there is a very misguided [...]
Men who develop bone metastases have often been viewed as having developed a significant negative change that prognosticates a negative impact on both their quality of life and on their survival. Contradicting this commonly held belief has been some research which has identified a subgroup of men with advanced prostate cancer with bone metastases who [...]
In clinical trials Enzalutamide (Xtandi) significantly increased the overall survival and radiographic progression-free survival of men when compared with placebo. The trial, called PREVAIL evaluated men who were asymptomatic and minimally symptomatic, chemotherapy-naive with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. The researchers expanded the data analysis and evaluated the effect of Xtandi on the men’s health-related quality [...]
I have just received an update on Senator McCain's amendment. According to Senator Pat Robert’s office they need to hear from more individuals from Kansas on opposing #1482 (the McCain amendment)so if it comes up they can let the Senator know and inform his position. If you live in Kansas, have family in Kansas or friends [...]
Most people don't know the many advances that the Department of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (DOD PCRP) has brought to the PROSTATE CANCER COMMUNITY. Did you know that the program is directly responsible for funding the initial development of three of the very new drugs we have available? The DOD PCRP is directly [...]
Again and again and again Senator McCain (R-AZ) has attacked the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP), which for PROSTATE CANCER has been among the most productive research vehicles we have to conquer PROSTATE CANCER. It is beyond my understanding why he has taken up this vendetta. Every year he is our biggest enemy, trying [...]
In a study performed in the UK researchers explored how men with advanced prostate cancer support their personal well being. The study analyzed the practices used by five (5) men with advanced prostate cancer to maintain their emotional wellbeing. Information about the men’s individual practices was taken from face-to-face, semi-structured, in-depth interviews with the five [...]
In a presentation at the ASCO Annual Meeting, Dr. Andrew Himelstein, MD, FACP of the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute, presented the results of a trial evaluating Zoledronic Acid (Zometa) at a dosing schedule of every 12 weeks as opposed to the current standard of care of every 4 weeks. The trial included [...]
