Leukapheresis
The First Step in Provenge® Prostate Cancer Treatment
You and your physician have decided that a treatment with Provenge® is advisable. Oklahoma Blood Institute partners with Dendreon as a collection center. The first step is collecting blood components used to perform leukapheresis. Here’s what to expect:
“Cells obtained through leukapheresis are used to target prostate cancer cells.”
Pre-Procedure
- Make an appointment to visit our donor center about one week prior to your procedure. Please call us at 405-278-3110 to schedule this appointment.
- During your pre-procedure visit, we will show you around our facility and introduce you to the wonderful staff who will care for you.
- Next, one of our staff will take your vital signs, examine your veins to make sure your veins can accommodate the procedure, and draw a few vials of blood for testing.
Before the Leukapheresis Procedure
- Drink plenty of fluids for several days.
- Eat a healthy, extra calcium-rich, low-fat meal within four hours of the procedure.
- Wear loose-fitting clothing with sleeves that can be raised above the elbow.
During the Procedure
- You will sit in a comfortable recliner and blood will be collected. One needle will be inserted to the inner elbow of one arm. Blood drawn will be separated into components with a special system called the COBE Spectra®.
- These blood components include small amounts of platelets and red blood cells along with immune cells needed to make PROVENGE® (sipuleucel-T).
- Then, unused blood components are safely returned to your body through a needle in your other arm.
- The entire process may take up to five hours. During this time, you can watch TV, DVDs, listen to CDs, access the internet or just relax.
- Some people report feeling a tingling sensation around the lips and face and/or being cold during the procedure. This is all temporary and subsides after the procedure. We will provide you with blankets to keep you comfortable.
- Plan to have someone drive you home once you are finished. Most people feel fatigued after the procedure.
After the Treatment
- The blood components we have collected are sent to a Dendreon laboratory for processing.
- Once this is completed, the treated cells are sent to your physician so they can be returned to you through transfusion.
Oklahoma Blood Institute is pleased to provide your leukapheresis procedure at our Central OKC Donor Center. It is located at 901 N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City. Please park conveniently in the area just outside of the three-story building with a sign reading, Oklahoma Blood Institute Donor Room.
Call our HPC Therapeutic Services Department at 405-278-3110 for more information or to schedule an appointment.