OncLive Peer Exchange has put out a video about the issues that most concern many of us surrounding the use of Provenge (Sipuleucel-T).   The video is a 9 minute discussion with Drs. Raoul Concepcion (moderator), Leonard Gomella, Lawrence Karsh, Evan Yu and Mark Scholtz.  They examine the concern that so many men with advanced prostate cancer express about the effectiveness of Provenge in light of the failure of Provenge to control either PSA or disease progression based on scans.

The panel also included an interesting mention from Dr. Scholtz about his practices use of Inspra (a blocker of aldosterone binding at the mineralocorticoid receptor) as a replacement for prednisone when they prescribe Zytiga.  Many doctors have expressed concern about starting Zytiga too soon after Provenge because of the possibility that the accompanying prednisone will mute the good of Provenge.

Joel T Nowak, M.A., M.S.W.