Cuba investigates new uses of Cuban Heberferon drug

Havana, Feb 22 (Prensa Latina) Specialists from the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB) are today investigating the effectiveness of Cuban drug Heberferon against several malignant tumors.

According to the leader of the project, Doctor in Biological Sciences Iraldo Bello, although the product was originally designed to treat skin cancer, it has the potential to become a therapeutic alternative in brain diseases and renal carcinomas.

In the case of the latter, the response of patients in grades three and four is being evaluated, although there is evidence that the drug lengthens the patient’s survival, the expert told the Cuban News Agency.

Bello expressed his confidence that between this year and next year the sanitary registration for these indications will be obtained in the country.

The clinical trials carried out on the conditions described above are being studied, as well as the results of the drug in people with advanced breast, head and neck cancer.

Heberferon, a combination of recombinant alpha 2b and gamma interferons obtained its registration in 2016 for the therapy of basal cell carcinoma, the most frequent and high-incidence skin tumor on a global scale, he detailed.

It was also used against Covid-19, as it was included as the first treatment option in the National Action Protocol established by the Public Health Ministry and administered to high-risk patients, infants and pregnant women, the source said.