Argentina: Lung cancer vaccine approved and to be available by July

Scientists from Argentina and Cuba have developed “Vaxira”, a vaccine against lung cancer which will be commercially available by Elea laboratories for patients from July. Vaxira (racotumomab) was approved by Argentina’s National Administration of Medicines, Food and Medical Technology (ANMAT).

The drug is a success after 18 years of research and 25 countries, including Brazil, Mexico and Uruguay have shown interest in obtaining a manufacturing license. Scientists mentioned that the vaccine does not prevent lung cancer and is a complement to the current therapies such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

The vaccine acts as a therapeutic agent and works by strengthening patient’s immune system. It is an antibody that mimics the tumor’s antigens making the immune system work and act against the tumor, without affecting healthy cells. Vaxira can be used on lung cancer patients after the radio and chemotherapy sessions have been completed as per treatment protocol.

Lung cancer is one of the most deadly diseases which is generally goes undiagnosed till the later stages. 90% of patients do not survive more than five years. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), lung cancer kills around 1.38 million people annually across the globe and ~9,000 people in Argentina. Vaxira has been developed by a consortium of private and public sector, Argentina and Cuba.