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Immunotherapies use the power of your immune system to fight your cancer. Vaccines are one form of immunotherapy. Sipuleucel-T is a vaccine used for advanced, metastatic prostate cancer if:
- It no longer responds to hormone therapy (sometimes called castration-resistant disease)
- It is causing few or no symptoms
Another kind of immunotherapy, called an immune checkpoint inhibitor, may also be used in a small subset of men with advanced prostate cancer. These medicines include pembrolizumab and dostarlimab.
Prostate Cancer Care Tailored to You
You and your family are our top priority. At Fred Hutch Cancer Center, we offer comprehensive and compassionate care — personalized to you. You'll have access to the latest treatment options, clinical trials and supportive care services.
Sipuleucel-T is made from your own immune cells. Your care team collects your white blood cells and sends them to a specialized facility. There, a team activates your cells by exposing them to a protein found in most prostate cancers (prostatic acid phosphatase). This is linked to a protein that stimulates the immune system. The goal is to enhance the response of your immune cells against the cancer. Then your treated immune cells are returned to the clinic and infused into your bloodstream.
Pembrolizumab and dostarlimab may help if your prostate cancer cells have certain genetic changes. These medicines can help your immune system see your cancer cells and destroy them.
Why Choose Fred Hutch for Immunotherapy for Prostate Cancer
Fred Hutch Cancer Center is a leader in developing immunotherapies and giving patients early access through clinical trials. Fred Hutch was the site for several of the studies that led to approval of sipuleucel-T by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
We’re actively working on clinical trials of immunotherapy agents, like more immune checkpoint inhibitors and cellular immunotherapy, already used for some other cancers.
Side effects from sipuleucel-T may include:
- Fever, chills or sweating
- Tiredness or weakness
- Back, joint or muscle pain
- Nausea
- Headache
Side effects of the immune checkpoint inhibitors may include:
- Fatigue or lack of energy
- Nausea, vomiting, constipation or diarrhea
- Itching, skin rash or dry skin
- Muscle, joint or bone pain
Before you receive a vaccine or immune checkpoint inhibitor, your Fred Hutch care team will talk with you about what to expect. We’ll let you know how to deal with any effects you might experience — and how to reach us for support after hours if that’s when you need us. The best measures will depend on which side effects you haves so it's important to let your care team know how you are feeling. We’ll tailor your care to you.