‘Cimavax-EGF’ is the name of the therapeutic Cuban vaccine against lung cancer in convalescents from COVID-19. Although it is currently in the testing phase to confirm whether the drug can stop the progression or prevent pulmonary fibrosis derived from the coronavirus, it is already planned to facilitate its access in the United States.
Union make force?
Political contradictions between Cuba and the United States make the relationship difficult, counting of course with the commercial blockades. However, today the Cuban Molecular Immunology Center (CIM) and the Roswell Park cancer research center in Buffalo, USA, joined forces to work together on the vaccine.
Both centers created the biotechnological company ‘Innovative Immunotherapy Alliance’ with the purpose of inserting the drug in American society. This relationship has provided Cuba with access to equipment and reagents, which are very difficult to obtain due to blockade limitations. This while the United States can access a drug with excellent results and prospects, reports RT
“Of course, the political context between the two countries makes this collaboration very difficult. We, for example, currently do not have an easy way to obtain visas to go to work there, the same exchange of reagents or equipment is difficult for us, “says the scientific manager of the Innovative Immunotherapy Alliance, Circe Mesa.
“It has prolonged my life”
The Cimavax-EGF vaccine includes more than two decades of research. Doctors and patients highlight two great advantages. The first is the few adverse reactions and the second is a solution to a serious health problem on the island such as lung cancer.
Miguel Creus, a patient cited in RT who began receiving Cimavax 15 years ago, had access to the drug when the disease was in phase four. He assures that he “has prolonged his life in a satisfactory state of health”, since at present he has no traces of tumors or symptoms of the disease.
With information from | RT/Latin Press
–
