Prostate cancer, the third most common cause of cancer death in men, causes around 27,000 deaths each year, the University of Colorado Hospital reported in 2010. Provenge, a medication created from a person's own immune cells and administered intravenously, prolongs life, on average, for four months in men with metastatic disease not responsive to hormone therapy, the University of California San Francisco reports. Three doses, given around two weeks apart, of the person's own white blood cells mixed with Provenge, compose the treatment. Like any immune therapy, Provenge can have significant side effects, most of which occur during or within one day after transfusion.
Systemic Side Effects
Provenge caused fever in over 32 percent of men in clinical trials and chills in around 55 percent, Provenge.com reports. Around 42 percent reported fatigue, with 19 percent complaining of headache. Almost 10 percent complained of flu-like symptoms. Ten percent complained of dizziness and over 5 percent developed a rash. Eight percent had a rise in blood pressure.
Musculoskeletal Side Effects
Back pain occurred in 32 percent of men in clinical trials and was one of the most common side effects reported during acute transfusion reaction, along with aching joints, which affected around 20 percent. Almost 13 percent mentioned pain in an extremity, while over 7 percent had muscle spasms. Musculoskeletal pain or muscle ache affected around 30 percent.
Gastrointestinal Side Effects
Gastrointestinal side effects include nausea, which affected 22 percent in clinical trials, vomiting, reported by 13 percent, and diarrhea, mentioned by 10 percent. Around 12 percent complained of constipation.
Respiratory Side Effects
Around 10 percent of men receiving Provenge complained of dyspnea, or difficulty breathing. Over 6 percent complained of upper respiratory infection and almost 6 percent mentioned a cough.
Cerebrovascular Side Effects
Around 3.5 percent of men receiving Provenge suffered hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke, compared to 2.6 percent of men in the control group, who were given autologous white blood cells alone.
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