Immunotherapy is a type of treatment that uses your own immune system to fight the tumour cells. In prostate cancer the drug Sipuleucel-T is used as immunotherapy. Because your own blood is used to prepare the drug, you need to get blood drawn before the procedure.
Immunotherapy is administered through an IV, in an outpatient setting at the hospital or clinic. You need to go to the hospital 3 times every 2 weeks to get treated. If effective, immunotherapy will allow you to live longer, and slow the growth of the tumours. It will not lower the level of PSA in your blood. Common side effects can include fever, fatigue, nausea, and headache.
