Maravi

Cuba registers first lung cancer vaccine

Cuba registers first lung cancer vaccine
By Larry Moonze in Havana, Cuba
Sunday June 29, 2008 [04:00]

CUBA has registered a first vaccine for the treatment of advanced lung cancer. Molecular Immunology Centre project head Dr Gisela Gonzalez said the vaccine CimaVax EGF increased the length and quality of patients' lives. Dr Gonzalez said clinical testing of the drug began in Cuba in 1995 with over 400 patients with advanced lung cancer. Dr Gonzalez said those patients had previously received traditional chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

The drug is said to improve breathing, which is usually a problem to people suffering from lung cancer.

Apart from breathe, Dr Gonzalez said the drug improved appetite and better pain management, aiding patients to lead fairly normal lives. According to Dr Gonzalez, the vaccine had no side effects. It consisted of two proteins with one that stimulated epidermal growth and P-64 K from the membrane.

Dr Gonzalez said five first phase clinical tests had been carried out and two-second phase tests including one in Cuba and another in Canada and England.

"The clinical benefits to the patents were notable during phase-two testing after which the CIM filed a request to register the vaccine," said Dr Gonzalez.

"The third clinical test is currently taking place in 11 Cuban hospitals involving 579 patients and in August this year, phase two testing of the drug will take place in Peru and later in China."

Labels: CUBA, VACCINES

posted by MrK @ 3:52 AM