Cuba’s Therapeutic Vaccine Against Hepatitis B Receives International Recognition for Its Impact – Nasvac

Cuba’s Therapeutic Vaccine Against Hepatitis B Receives International Recognition

Havana, Jun 24 – Cuba’s therapeutic vaccine against hepatitis B, known as Nasvac, has gained significant international recognition, according to the scientific magazine Vaccines. The article highlighting the vaccine’s impact was highly viewed and downloaded, as reported by the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB) on Twitter.

Developed by scientists at CIGB, Nasvac is a novel vaccine that is administered nasally, making it the only vaccine against a chronic infectious disease and the only therapeutic preparation of its kind. Clinical studies have shown that Nasvac can reduce the amount of virus in the blood to less than 10,000 particles per milliliter in approximately 80 percent of patients.

Although patients remain infected with the virus, the low level of viral multiplication achieved through Nasvac significantly decreases the risk of developing fibrosis, cirrhosis, or liver cancer. The vaccine can be administered through both the nasal and subcutaneous routes.

Chronic hepatitis B is a long-term disease that often goes undetected until it is too late. The disease hampers the immune system’s ability to defend itself, which is why Nasvac utilizes the nasal route to break the immune tolerance and induce a response.

In Cuba, the incidence of hepatitis B has decreased, no longer posing a major health problem. The Ministry of Public Health reported that only 21 cases of chronic hepatitis B were diagnosed in 2021, compared to 73 cases the previous year.

The CIGB played a crucial role in achieving these results by developing the Heberbiovac HB preventive vaccine in 1991. This vaccine has been instrumental in eliminating the disease in children aged zero to five by the year 2000 and in infants and adolescents up to 15 years old by 2005.

The recognition of Nasvac’s impact internationally highlights Cuba’s significant contributions to medical research and the development of innovative vaccines. With its groundbreaking approach to treating chronic hepatitis B, Nasvac offers hope for millions of patients worldwide.

What is unique about Cuba’s therapeutic vaccine Nasvac for hepatitis B?

Cuba’s groundbreaking therapeutic vaccine for hepatitis B, Nasvac, is receiving notable international recognition, according to Vaccines magazine. The vaccine, developed by scientists at the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), has attracted significant attention for its novel administration method. Nasvac is the only vaccine available for a chronic infectious disease and the sole therapeutic preparation of its kind. Clinical trials have demonstrated its efficacy in reducing viral blood levels to under 10,000 particles per milliliter in around 80% of patients.

Although Nasvac doesn’t eradicate the virus completely, it substantially diminishes the risk of developing severe complications such as fibrosis, cirrhosis, or liver cancer. The vaccine can be administered nasally or subcutaneously.

Chronic hepatitis B is a long-term illness often detected at later stages. Due to its impact on the immune system, Nasvac takes advantage of the nasal route to disrupt immune tolerance and stimulate a response.

In Cuba, the incidence of hepatitis B has significantly declined, no longer presenting a major public health concern. According to the Ministry of Public Health, only 21 cases of chronic hepatitis B were diagnosed in 2021, down from 73 cases the previous year.

The CIGB has been instrumental in these achievements, with its development of the Heberbiovac HB preventative vaccine in 1991. This vaccine played a crucial role in eradicating the disease in children aged zero to five by 2000 and in infants and teenagers up to 15 years old by 2005.

International recognition of Nasvac’s impact emphasizes Cuba’s notable contributions in medical research and the development of innovative vaccines. This groundbreaking approach to treating chronic hepatitis B provides hope for millions of patients worldwide.