Cuba reports successful trial of cancer vaccine

The Cuban News Agency (ACN) reported that the vaccine to fight the second major cause of death of men in Cuba had been safely administered in the first stage of a clinical trial, concluded on July 23, 2007. (File photo)

CAMAGUEY, Cuba, January 12, 2009 – Health officials in Cuba are reporting a successful trial of a vaccine against hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. The trial has been approved by the State Centre for Quality Control of Medications.

The experts said that the vaccine, Heberprovac, can be used in the most advanced stage of the disease and although it is not a cure, it improves patients’ quality of life and increases their survival.

The Cuban News Agency (ACN) reported that the vaccine to fight the second major cause of death of men in Cuba had been safely administered in the first stage of a clinical trial, concluded on July 23, 2007.

Experts now have to identify the most effective dose and the best administration programme for Heberprovac, before moving on to the second phase of the trial.

Produced by Camaguey’s Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Centre, the vaccine was administered on patients before they were given radiotherapy.

Another vaccine is also under study in the capital, Havana.

ACN said that the territories of Eastern Camaguey and western Pinar del Rio Province have the highest prevalence of prostate cancer in Cuba. According to projections, cancerous diseases will become the leading cause of death in Cuba by 2010.