| Although we are beginning, largely as a result of | | | | advanced prostate cancer. |
| education, to detect more cases of prostate cancer | | | | Amongst a small study group of men with advanced |
| in their early stages, unfortunately all too many cases | | | | prostate cancer the use of Pertuzumab was shown |
| are still not being detected until they are quite | | | | to stabilize the disease for varying periods of time |
| advanced. | | | | and, overall, extended the 12 month survival rate of |
| Advanced prostate cancer refers to a cancer which | | | | the group as a whole to nearly 75%, which |
| has spread outside of the prostate gland itself and is | | | | compared favorably to the expected survival rate |
| divided into stage 3 cancer, in which the disease has | | | | without treatment of less than 50%. |
| spread into the pelvic tissue surrounding the prostate | | | | Pertuzumab is a form of monoclonal antibody which is |
| gland, and stage 4 cancer, in which the disease has | | | | produced in a laboratory and is designed to seek out |
| spread, or metastasized, into other areas of the | | | | and bind with specific cells. In the case of prostate |
| body, typically being carried by the lymphatic system. | | | | cancer Pertuzumab is designed to seek out a protein |
| Although not easy, stage 3 prostate cancer can | | | | known as epidermal growth factor, which plays a |
| often be treated quite effectively and it is possible to | | | | significant role in the growth of prostate cancer cells. |
| cure prostate cancer in stage 3. Once the disease | | | | Monoclonal antibodies are not new and can be used |
| has reached stage 4 however it becomes very | | | | alone or to carry drugs, toxins or radioactive material |
| difficult to cure and, while a cure is sometimes | | | | directly to the site of a tumor. Each antibody is |
| possible, treatment (typically the removal of the | | | | designed to seek out specific cells and a number of |
| testes, to starve the cancer of testosterone, and | | | | monoclonal antibodies are already in use treating |
| chemotherapy) is generally aimed at managing the | | | | cancers, while others are in development or |
| condition by slowing the progression of the disease | | | | undergoing clinical trials. |
| and providing the patient with the best possible | | | | The use of this form of targeted therapy is evolving |
| quality of life. | | | | rapidly in the management of cancer patients in |
| To this end, recent clinical trials have been examining | | | | general and it is hoped that with further development |
| the use of a drug called Pertuzumab and initial results | | | | this will become a significant form of treatment for |
| suggest that this drug may well be effective in | | | | advanced prostate cancer patients. |
| extending the life of many men suffering from | | | | |