BioCubaFarma reported in its Twitter account that Colombia’s Ministry of Health and Protection has approved Cuba’s cancer drug CIMAher. The drug will be available under Colombia’s Health Benefits Plan.
BioCubaFarm said the decision will allow doctors in Colombia to prescribe the drug.
Scientists at the Center for Molecular Immunology (CIM) developed the cancer drug.
CIMAher is a humanized antibody used in patients with inoperable esophageal cancer of epithelial origin in combination with chemotherapy, and as a combined treatment for advanced-stage squamous cell cancer of the head and neck.
It is also used to extend the life of children with highly malignant astrocytoma, resistant to other treatments.
A study carried out in patients with esophageal cancer, when treated with CIMAher, alongside chemotherapy, demonstrated positive response and survival rates.
According to the Cuban Health Network (Infomed), patients in the study in an advanced stage of the disease, the control rate was 83%, with the objective response rate of 64.9%.
Information source: CubaDebate
