FDA sanctions advanced prostate cancer therapy

A therapy developed to battle advanced forms of prostate cancer in men has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Provenge (sipuleucel-T) is a method that uses the patient's own bodily defences to tackle the disease and it has been sanctioned for cases where tumours are resistant to normal curative measures and have spread around the body.

It works by obtaining immune cells from the blood, which are then exposed to prostate cancer proteins before being reinserted into the individual.

Laboratory scientists found subjects treated in this manner had a median survival rate of 25.8 months, compared with 21.7 months for the control group.

Dr Karen Midthun of the FDA said: "The availability of Provenge provides a new treatment option for men with advanced prostate cancer, who currently have limited effective therapies available."

Earlier this month, the organisation approved new Pancreaze Delayed-Release Capsules for boosting food digestion in patients who have suffered illnesses such as pancreatic cancer.