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Welcome to VantasImplant.com
This online resource contains basic information about prostate cancer, how it is diagnosed, and what treatment options are available. You will also find a listing of information sources that can add to (but should not replace) conversations you may have with your doctor about prostate cancer and how it can affect you and your loved ones.
VANTAS is a unique, 12-month hormone suppression therapy for advanced prostate cancer. It contains the testosterone-reducing medication called histrelin. VANTAS is a small, flexible cylinder that is placed under the skin of your upper, inner arm. It remains in your arm to release histrelin continuously into your body for a whole year.7
The histrelin in VANTAS reduces PSA—prostate-specific antigen—a blood chemical associated with prostate cancer.7
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The VANTAS implant is made of hydrogel, which is the same type of material used in soft contact lenses. Using hydrogel technology, this comfortable implant begins releasing medicine immediately after the implant is inserted in your upper arm.7
Unlike most injections, VANTAS requires only one procedure per year—making it a convenient treatment choice.7
VANTAS does not cure prostate cancer, but can slow its development over the long term. If the VANTAS implant is removed and not replaced, testosterone levels rise, which can allow the cancer to grow.7
Tell your doctor or pharmacist about any medications that you are taking, including VANTAS, prescription, nonprescription, and herbal remedies. Do not start taking a new medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist.
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VANTAS is indicated in the palliative treatment of advanced prostate cancer.
VANTAS is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to GnRH, GnRH agonist analogs, or any components in VANTAS. VANTAS is contraindicated in women and pediatric patients and was not studied in women or children. VANTAS, like other LHRH agonists, causes a transient increase in serum concentration of testosterone during the first week of treatment. Patients may experience worsening of symptoms or onset of new symptoms including bone pain, neuropathy, hematuria, or ureteral or bladder outlet obstruction. Cases of ureteral obstruction and spinal cord compression, which may contribute to paralysis with or without fatal complications, have been reported with LHRH agonists. If spinal cord compression or renal impairment develops, standard treatment of these complications should be instituted.
The most common systemic side effects were hot flashes (65.5%), asthenia (9.9%), implant site reaction (5.8%), testicular atrophy (5.3%), and renal impairment (4.7%). Five of the 8 patients had only a single occurrence of mild renal impairment (defined as creatinine clearance  30 and < 60 mL/min), which returned to a normal range by the next visit. The most common local side effects were bruising (7.2%), and pain/soreness/tenderness (3.6%).
Once serum testosterone concentrations at or below castrate level ( 50 ng/dL) were achieved, a total of 4 patients (3%) demonstrated breakthrough during the study. In one patient, a serum testosterone level of 63.1 ng/dL was reported at week 44; this patient's serum testosterone level returned to 8.1 ng/dL at the next reading. In another patient, a serum testosterone level of 3,340 ng/dL was reported at week 40. This aberrant value was possibly related to lab error. In two patients, serum testosterone rose above castrate level and the implant could neither be palpated nor visualized with ultrasound.
Response to VANTAS should be monitored by measuring serum concentrations of testosterone and PSA periodically, especially if the anticipated clinical or biochemical response to treatment has not been achieved.
References:
7. Vantas [package insert]. Cranbury, NJ: Indevus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; 2004.
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