There's always a catch when it comes to prescription drugs.

There’s always a catch when it comes to prescription drugs.

You may have heard that an FDA panel voted last week to allow approval of Provenge; a vaccine that treats advanced prostate cancer. This treatment is considered a vaccine because it’s designed to stimulate the immune system to recognize cancer cells and defend the body against them.

As promising as this concept may be, two studies have shown that Provenge does not impede the cancer’s progress. But one of the studies suggested that Provenge might extend patients’ lives by about four months. Note the words “suggested” and “might.”

But that’s not the catch. Here’s the catch: According to the Associated Press: “The panelists also recommended that an increased risk of stroke in patients receiving the vaccine be monitored.”

So – let’s review. Provenge hasn’t been shown to delay cancer’s progress, but it may increase stroke risk. And an FDA panel just cleared it for takeoff.

Buckle your seat belts. We’re in for a bumpy ride.