Patients Benefit from Clinical Trials in Sancti Spiritus

More than 300 patients benefit from 20 clinical trials that are currently in different stages of implementation in the province of Sancti Spiritus

Dr. Iralis Benitez Guzman, coordinator of the project in the territory, told ACN that most of the patients included in the trial are receiving treatment for tumors of different locations. The Ministry of Health has intensified efforts in studies related to drugs aimed at counteracting lung cancer and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, given the impact of these two health conditions in Cuba, she added.

Since 2008 Cuba applies the CIMAVAX-EGF therapeutic vaccine against non-small cell lung cancer, developed in the island, which has increased the survival of those suffering from this disease and improved their quality of life.

The encouraging result of this drug has led to its expansion, and it will soon be available in primary health care facilities.

Although Cuba has made the treatment available for free to patients, it costs exceeds 22,000 Cuban pesos annually. It is a lifelong treatment that is administered as long as the physical conditions of the patients allow for it.

A clinical trial, conducted in four stages involves human research to evaluate the efficacy, effectiveness and safety of different products developed by the biopharmaceutical industry and other Cuban scientific institutions.

Taken from ACN and translated by Escambray