Fact: the recent Zytiga trial was stopped when only one of TWO endpoints, progression-free survival, PFS, reached stat sig. The second endpoint, overall survival, OS, did NOT reach stat sig, and so, some, including statistician Halabi, are calling the trial a failure. Also, men in the trial treatment arm were given 14 months of Zytiga at a cost of $5400 per month (that’s almost the cost of Provenge, by the way, in total). No survival effect was seen for 18 months, and by that time, 20% of the patients were dead. So, in the pre-chemo space (where Provenge is given), what kind of competition is that to Provenge, whose benefits are seen in as little as 6 months?

Now, does Zytiga have a place here? Yes…in addressing cancer, doctors often ‘layer in’ treatments. So, as suggested by the Journal of Clinical Oncology, provide Provenge first (three infusions in one month), and then, if indicated, add Zytiga.

It’s always good to check facts (vs. opinions).