Prostate Cancer Treatment Study: Immunotherapy Drug Treatments for Prostate Cancer - Progress and Setbacks

NEW YORK, June 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- For years, researchers have dreamed of curing prostate cancer with targeted drugs that could modulate the body's own immune system to attack and destroy malignant cancer cells. Recent approvals of immuno-modulatory drugs Provenge and Yervoy represent considerable progress in this domain, as they have already been shown to improve survival rates in certain types of metastatic prostate cancer. Over 20 other such drugs are expected to seek approval in the near future.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110623/NY25428 )

Yet, while their efficacy has been shown in select clinical scenarios, these drugs may present a high cost burden to the health care system if adopted en-masse. A typical course of Yervoy treatment can cost up to $120,000 per patient, while Provenge costs approximately $93,000 per patient. Additionally, these drugs have not been able to cure prostate cancer as their immuno-modulatory effects are not sufficient to eradicate all cancer cells from the body.

"There is no doubt that these drugs represent a great scientific accomplishment. However, they do not eradicate all of the cancer cells in the body. They do delay prostate cancer recurrence but, eventually, the disease can become resistant to their effects," explained Dr. David Samadi, Vice Chairman, Department of Urology and Chief of Robotics and Minimally Invasive Surgery at The Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. Dr. Samadi is a specialist in prostate cancer treatment and robotic surgery.

In contrast to these new drugs, robotic prostatectomy has been shown to provide one of the highest prostate cure rates of any primary treatment. Unfortunately, many men postpone surgery because they fear side effects, including incontinence and impotence. However, robotic prostatectomy provides a faster recovery with minimal side effects compared to other prostate cancer treatment methods.  

Using SMART Surgery (Samadi Modified Advanced Robotic Technique), Dr. Samadi is able to preserve the delicate nerve bundles responsible for urinary control and sexual function. This technique not only cures cancer in 97% of his patients, but also preserves sexual and urinary function among 85% and 96% of his patients, respectively.

"While the new drugs can put up a good fight against prostate cancer, there's only one way to win the war against this disease, and that's surgery," says Dr. Samadi. "Ultimately, there's no substitute for surgically removing the cancer once and for all, and going back to a normal, fulfilling life."

New Prostate Cancer Treatment Drugs - FDA Warnings

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XHvCvG_bro

Robotic Surgery On Good Day New York

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Health Technology Trends – Robotic Surgery

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SOURCE Smart-Surgery.com