Lapuleucel-T

Lapuleucel-T (pronounced la-pyoo-LOO-sel tee) is a type of immunotherapy used in the treatment of certain types of cancer, specifically metastatic hormone-refractory prostate cancer.

Etymology

The name "Lapuleucel-T" is derived from the method of its production. "Lapu" is short for "Lapheresis", a process in which blood is drawn from the patient and separated into its different components. "Leucel" refers to the leukocytes, or white blood cells, that are collected during this process. The "T" stands for "treatment".

Usage

Lapuleucel-T is used to stimulate the body's immune system to attack prostate cancer cells. It is made by collecting a patient's own immune cells, specifically dendritic cells, and exposing them to a protein found in most prostate cancers, known as prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP). The treated cells are then reinfused into the patient, where they stimulate an immune response against cancer cells expressing PAP.

Related Terms

Immunotherapy: A type of therapy that uses substances to stimulate or suppress the immune system to help the body fight cancer, infection, and other diseases.
Metastatic: Refers to cancer that has spread from the place where it first started to another place in the body.
Hormone-refractory prostate cancer: A type of prostate cancer that is resistant to hormonal treatment.
Dendritic cells: Immune cells that present antigens to T-cells, initiating an immune response.
Prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP): An enzyme produced by the prostate. It is often elevated in men with prostate cancer.