Cuba patents new lung cancer vaccine

Cuba's Center for Molecular Immunology (CIM) has patented a new lung cancer vaccine, CIM researcher Ana Maria Vazquez said Monday. Vazquez said the antibody, called Racotumomab, was proven in clinical trials this year to increase survival rates among cancer patients, and has shown good safety and tolerance levels. The vaccine combats lung carcinoma by promoting the death of cancer cells and minimizing the presence of tumors, Vazquez explained. Racotumomab is the second vaccine developed by CIM against lung cancer,after CIMAvax EGF, which has proven effective in helping Cuban patients. Lung cancer is the second-most common type of cancer in Cuba with an estimated 5,000 patients in advanced stages of the disease.