CIMAvax-EGF and Vaxira, known as the Cuban cancer vaccine, are therapeutic vaccines that prompt the immune system into action; the aim is to keep the disease under control for longer. We prepare your file, translate it into Spanish and send it to an oncologist in Cuba, then explain the doctor's opinion to you and stay by your side throughout.
Six points that stand out when you weigh this option for yourself or someone you love.
A longer life as the goal
In studies, longer survival was reported in patients who completed the vaccine programme.
Keeps the disease in check
Used as maintenance after first-line treatment; the aim is to keep the disease under control.
Works with the body's own defences
It prompts the immune system, so the body's own defences are put to work against the disease.
Well tolerated
Side effects are mostly mild (pain at the injection site, fever). Given as short injections, a programme that suits carrying on with daily life.
More than 15 years of experience
CIMAvax-EGF has been licensed in Cuba since 2008 and Vaxira since 2013; developed at the Center of Molecular Immunology in Havana.
We take the load off the family
File, medical translation, the oncologist's opinion (target about 4 business days), travel, accommodation, interpreter and support in your language; continuation in your own country if the doctor considers it suitable.
What it is
Therapeutic vaccines that prompt the immune system into action
Often called the Cuba lung cancer vaccine, these therapeutic vaccines prompt the immune system of a patient with a cancer diagnosis into action. The aim is to keep the disease under control for longer and to extend survival.
It prompts the immune system
Therapeutic vaccines are used in patients with a cancer diagnosis to strengthen the immune response.
They target a growth signal
CIMAvax-EGF aims to reduce the EGF signal that feeds growth of the disease; Vaxira builds an immune response against NeuGcGM3 on cancer cells.
Maintenance after first treatment
Used as maintenance after first-line chemotherapy or radiotherapy; given by injection, with side effects mostly mild.
Three products
CIMAvax-EGF, Vaxira and CIMAher
The first two are therapeutic vaccines. CIMAher is an antibody medicine developed at the same centre.
Vaccine
CIMAvax-EGF
A vaccine given into the muscle that aims to reduce the EGF signal that feeds tumour growth: the body makes antibodies against its own EGF.
Licensed in Cuba since 12 June 2008 (CECMED), with more than 15 years of use
Several induction doses, then monthly maintenance doses
Used as maintenance after first-line treatment, for months while there is benefit
Vaccine
Vaxira (racotumomab)
A vaccine given by injection (intradermal, according to CIM) that builds an immune response against NeuGcGM3 on tumour cells.
Licensed in Cuba since 7 January 2013, and also in Argentina
The schedule is set by the treating doctors
Used as maintenance after first-line treatment in advanced non-small cell lung cancer
Antibody medicine
CIMAher (nimotuzumab)
A monoclonal antibody medicine that targets EGFR and is given intravenously; it is used in Cuba for many types of cancer.
Licensed in Cuba for advanced head and neck tumours and high-grade brain tumours (adults and children)
Licensed for unresectable oesophageal cancer and advanced pancreatic cancer
Also used for lung cancer maintenance; the treating doctors set the schedule
Comparison at a glance
Comparison at a glance
CIMAvax-EGF
Vaxira
CIMAher
Type
Therapeutic vaccine
Therapeutic vaccine
Monoclonal antibody medicine
Target
EGF (growth factor)
NeuGcGM3 (on tumour cells)
EGFR
Route
Intramuscular
Injection (intradermal, per CIM)
Intravenous
Main use
Advanced non-small cell lung cancer (maintenance)
Advanced non-small cell lung cancer (maintenance)
Head and neck, brain, oesophageal, pancreatic tumours; lung cancer maintenance
Licensed in Cuba
Since 2008
Since 2013
Yes
Source: CIM Havana and CECMED records.
The evidence
What stands out in the research
Two published studies reported these results in patients.
Phase III · 2016
CIMAvax-EGF
In patients who had at least 4 doses, median survival was 12.43 months, against 9.43 months in the comparison group.
In patients with a high EGF level at the start, median survival reached 14.66 months.
Across all patients, median survival was 10.83 months, against 8.86 months in the comparison group.
Most side effects were mild: pain at the injection site, fever, vomiting, headache.
405 patients with stage IIIB/IV non-small cell lung cancer; after first-line chemotherapy the vaccine was compared with best supportive care.
Licensed in Cuba since 2008, with more than 15 years of clinical use.
Source: Clinical Cancer Research, 2016
Phase II/III · 2014
Vaxira (racotumomab)
A randomised, placebo-controlled study of 176 patients.
Median survival was 8.23 months, against 6.80 months with placebo.
Time without progression was 5.33 months, against 3.90 months with placebo.
In a later phase III study, the investigators reported that the vaccine was not inferior to a standard chemotherapy as maintenance.
Licensed in Cuba since 2013, and also in Argentina.
Source: Clinical Cancer Research, 2014
Is it right for you?
The oncologist who reviews your file assesses whether it suits you and how much benefit you may see.
Suitability
Who is it considered for?
The oncologist in Cuba who reviews your reports decides on suitability. The points below give you an initial idea.
Situations that may be reviewed
Confirmed non-small cell lung cancer
Stage IIIB or IV (advanced)
First-line chemotherapy or radiotherapy already completed
A general condition that allows a vaccine programme to continue
What the doctor looks at in the assessment
A clear diagnosis and stage
Molecular tests: EGFR, ALK, ROS1, PD-L1
The patient's general condition
Other illnesses
Keep up your current treatment
The vaccine programme is assessed together with the plan of your own oncologist. If you are thinking of changing your current treatment, talk to your oncologist first.
Documents
Which documents are needed?
Your reports can be in any language; we translate them. Upload what you have and we tell you in one message what is missing.
Pathology (biopsy) report
Staging imaging: CT, PET-CT and MRI reports if available
Molecular tests: EGFR, ALK, ROS1, PD-L1
Treatment history: chemotherapy, radiotherapy and medicines received
Current status: latest doctor's note and blood tests
The patient's passport or ID
If a test is missing you can still apply; the doctor will tell us what is needed.
The process
What happens after you apply?
At every step you know who does what. You can also follow your file in the patient portal.
1
You
Application
You enter the applicant and patient details and upload the reports you have.
You receiveAn “application received” e-mail and your file number
About 10 minutes
2
You
Preliminary review fee
You pay securely by card or bank transfer. Once the payment is confirmed, your file is processed right away.
You receivePayment confirmation and your receipt in the patient portal
Minutes by card, by transfer once the bank confirms
3
Us
Check and translation
Your documents are checked, translated into Spanish and organised into one clear file for the doctor.
You receiveA notice that the document check is complete
After payment
4
Specialist
Specialist opinion
The doctor reviews your file and may ask for more documents. We pass every update on to you.
You receiveA “doctor's report is ready” notice, with the report in the portal
Target: about 4 business days
5
You and us
Decision and planning
We explain the doctor's opinion and the options. If you want to go ahead, we plan the hospital, travel and stay together.
You receiveTreatment options and, if you choose one, an itemised pro forma
You decide
Eligibility for treatment and the treatment plan are decided by the doctors in Cuba.
Fees
Know what you will pay from the start
Preliminary review fee
—one-time
What the fee includes
Checking and organising your documents
Medical translation into Spanish
Review of your file by a specialist in Cuba
The doctor's opinion explained to you, with coordinator support
Fee and refundsThis fee pays for the specialist's review of your file, so it is similar to a consultation fee. If you withdraw before your file is sent to the doctor, the fee is refunded. Once your file has been sent to the doctor, it is not refunded, whatever the doctor's opinion. If the doctor asks for more documents, there is no extra charge.
Payment options
Secure card payment (processing fee shown on the payment screen)
The cost follows the plan the doctor recommends. After the oncologist who reviews your file gives an opinion, you receive a written plan and cost information, and decide without pressure.
The recommended programme and schedule
The institution where treatment would take place
An itemised written cost
The expected duration
Travel, accommodation and interpreter services
The plan for continued treatment and check-ups
If the doctor asks for more documents, you pay nothing extra.
Your file is reviewed by an oncologist in Cuba and treatment starts in Cuba. Continuation and check-ups follow the doctor's plan, in your own country with your own doctor if considered suitable. We coordinate the whole process.
If you cannot travel to Cuba
Treatment in your own country, together with the doctors in Cuba
When a patient's health does not allow travel to Cuba, treatment can, in suitable cases, be started in the patient's own country under the supervision of their own doctor. This route is possible in many countries around the world: the doctors in Cuba follow the process together with the local doctor, and our team coordinates every stage.
Joint assessment
The doctors in Cuba and the patient's doctor at home review the file together.
Special transport
Medicines the doctors consider suitable can be shipped under special transport conditions, subject to the import, licensing and permit rules of the destination country.
Treatment with your own doctor
If considered suitable, treatment is started in your country under your own doctor's supervision.
Regular follow-up
Check-ups and test results are shared regularly with the doctors in Cuba, and we are with you at every step.
Your file is referred to the relevant healthcare institution and specialist in Cuba according to the medical field; which institution is suitable is decided by the doctors and institutions themselves.
Names and logos are shown for information only; they do not indicate a formal partnership or agreement.
and other healthcare institutions
Our partners
The organizations we work with for your journey
Medical assessment always stays with the doctors in Cuba. For travel, accommodation and travel insurance, we work with the organizations below.
We work with Viajes Cubanacán under contract No. 22/26 and with ASSIST CARD by agreement; Heyo Travel is our group company within MYDN GROUP. Contract details are on the Institutional agreements page.
The cost of a vaccine programme follows the plan the doctor recommends. With the preliminary review fee paid at application, your file is sent to an oncologist in Cuba. After the doctor's opinion you receive a written plan and cost information, and decide then.
Is the Cuban cancer vaccine available in my country, and in which hospitals?
You can reach the vaccine from your country; we coordinate access through Cuba. We send your file to an oncologist in Cuba, and treatment starts in Cuba at the centre the oncology team chooses. If the doctor considers it suitable, continuation and check-ups are planned in your own country with your own doctor; after reviewing your file we tell you clearly which steps are possible for you.
What is the success rate of the Cuba lung cancer vaccine?
Studies reported encouraging results. With CIMAvax-EGF, patients who had at least 4 doses reached a median survival of 12.43 months (9.43 months in the comparison group), and those with a high EGF level 14.66 months. With Vaxira, median survival was 8.23 months (placebo 6.80) and time without progression 5.33 months (placebo 3.90). Side effects were mostly mild. The oncologist who reviews your file assesses how much benefit you may see.
Which cancers is the Cuban cancer vaccine used for?
In Cuba, CIMAvax-EGF and Vaxira are used as maintenance after first-line treatment in advanced (IIIB/IV) non-small cell lung cancer, which is why they are often called the Cuba lung cancer vaccine.
Do you have offices I can contact?
Yes. We work from our offices in Havana and Istanbul and answer every day from 09:00 to 21:00 local time. Call us or write on WhatsApp on +53 636 971 53; we handle your application in English from start to finish.
What are the side effects of the Cuban cancer vaccine?
In the studies the vaccine was well tolerated and most side effects were mild: pain at the injection site, fever, vomiting and headache. The treating doctor monitors side effects.
How many doses are needed and how long does it last?
CIMAvax-EGF is a programme: several induction doses, then monthly maintenance doses for months, as long as there is benefit and it is well tolerated. The schedule for Vaxira is set by the treating doctors.
Do I have to travel to Cuba for the vaccine?
Your file is reviewed remotely first, and you decide whether to travel after hearing the doctor's opinion. If you cannot travel, in cases the doctors consider suitable the process can continue in your own country with your own doctor.
Is it also used for cancers other than lung cancer?
The Cuban licence for these vaccines is for lung cancer. For head and neck, brain, oesophageal and pancreatic tumours there are other options in Cuba, such as CIMAher (nimotuzumab). Write to us about your situation; we send your file to an oncologist, who assesses which options suit you.
What is CIMAher (nimotuzumab)?
CIMAher (nimotuzumab) is a monoclonal antibody medicine given intravenously; it is a treatment developed in Cuba that works differently from vaccines. In Cuba it is licensed for advanced head and neck tumours, high-grade brain tumours, unresectable oesophageal cancer, advanced pancreatic cancer and lung cancer maintenance.
Should I stop my current treatment before applying?
Continue your current treatment with your own oncologist and make every decision together with them. The doctor in Cuba reviews your file and assesses how the vaccine could fit your plan.
How do I apply?
You fill in the application form and upload your reports; once you pay the preliminary review fee, your file is processed. If you prefer, you can write to us on WhatsApp first and ask your questions.
Is the preliminary review fee refundable?
If you withdraw before your file is sent to the doctor, the fee is refunded. Once the file has reached the doctor it is not refunded, whatever the doctor's opinion. If the doctor asks for more documents, you pay nothing extra.
When will I get an answer?
If your documents are complete, our target for the first specialist review is about 4 business days. If the doctor asks for more documents, it may take longer. We keep you informed of every step.
