Montgomery Cancer Center among first in nation to treat advanced prostate cancer patients with Provenge

Montgomery Cancer Center is the first facility in Alabama and among the first in the nation to treat advanced prostate cancer patients with a promising new therapy.

PROVENGE® (sipuleucel-T) is the first in a new therapeutic class known as autologous cellular immunotherapies. PROVENGE was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of men with asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic metastatic castrate resistant (hormone refractory) prostate cancer.

Made from a patient’s own immune cells, PROVENGE is designed to stimulate a patient’s immune system to identify and target prostate cancer cells. Given in three intravenous infusions two weeks apart, a dose is manufactured specifically for each patient using his cells plus a special protein that helps attack the cancer.

“This is one of the most important developments in years for the treatment of prostate cancer,” said Montgomery Cancer Center medical oncologist/hematologist Dr. John Reardon. “We’re proud to be the first facility in Alabama to offer it to patients. Whether immunotherapies or other advanced treatments, we’re committed to providing state-of-the-art care here in central Alabama.”

According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in the United States and the third most common cancer worldwide. More than two million men in the U.S. have prostate cancer, with an estimated 217,730 new cases and approximately 32,050 men expected to die from the disease in 2011.

Individuals or their referring physicians interested in learning whether PROVENGE is an appropriate treatment option should contact Montgomery Cancer Center at (334) 273-7000. Please see full prescribing information for PROVENGE at www.provenge.com.

Opened in 1990, Montgomery Cancer Center is nationally respected for its oncology and hematology diagnostic and treatment services. The center is staffed by 14 physicians, including recognized leaders in their fields. Montgomery Cancer Center also offers its own diagnostic and imaging center for breast cancer, and a digital imaging center open to the general public as well as to cancer patients. For more information, visit www.montgomerycancercenter.com.