World's first prostate cancer 'vaccine' to be used in patients

London, May 1 (ANI): Provenge, the world's first prostate cancer 'vaccine' which works by boosting the body's immune system to fight tumours, is to be used in patients.

The vaccine helps those already in an advanced stage of the disease.

According to medical tests, it can prolong the life of terminal patients by around four months, one month longer than traditional chemotherapy.

It has now been licensed for use in America but is not yet available in this country, reports The Telegraph.

John Neate, from The Prostate Cancer Charity, said: "The news that this type of immunotherapy may offer additional survival benefit is promising.

"There are still questions to answer, even if the treatment fulfils its early promise.

"At present, we believe there are currently no laboratories in Europe equipped to undertake this treatment.

"Furthermore, this treatment is not currently approved in Britian and it will still be some years before doctors know enough about its long-term effectiveness and side effects to be confident about its potential place in the armoury against advanced prostate cancer."

"We will monitor further developments closely." (ANI)