Cuba’s cancer expert to arrive tomorrow

Star: KUALA LUMPUR: The plan for clinical trials here on a Cuban anti-cancer vaccine is moving ahead with Cuba despatching its top cancer research scientist here.
Dr Augustin Lage, who is director of Cuba’s famed Centre of Molecular Immunology, will arrive tomorrow to meet with Malaysian officials.
The centre has successfully developed cancer vaccines which mobilise the immune system to target malignant cells, as opposed to traditional treatments which target the cancerous cells themselves.
Cuban Ambassador to Malaysia Pedro Monzon Barata said tests by the centre on lung cancer patients had shown great success.
“The vaccine was used on terminally ill cancer patients with just months to live, and the drug was able to prolong their lives by several years. The patients were able to enjoy a better quality of life while under treatment,” he said.
Under an agreement signed with Cuba during Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s visit to Havana in November 2004, Malaysian company Bioven Holdings Sdn Bhd will team up with the centre to undertake clinical trials of the anti-cancer vaccine, which will also be produced here.
Cuban scientists are also working on a Hepatitis B vaccine and shrimp growth enhancement technology as agreed upon by the private sectors of both countries.
Barata said Cuban scientists and senior officials had been visiting Malaysia to follow up on the agreements reached during Abdullah’s visit.
The envoy also said the third Malaysia-Cuba Joint Commission Meeting held in Havana from Monday to Wednesday had provided both sides with an opportunity to review the progress in various areas of cooperation.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar led a 17-member delegation to the talks.