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Rachel V Thomas

Meet Vaxira: The Cuban Vaccine Against Deadly Lung Cancer

Scientists in Cuba have developed a novel vaccine against <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/lung-cancer">lung cancer</a></span> that has shown the potential to <span>improve survival rates</span> among people living with the disease.

The vaccine, chemically known as racotumomab, has been developed in collaboration with scientists from Argentina. <span>Vaxira</span> has been approved in Cuba and Argentina for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

It helps the <span>immune system</span> recognize and destroy lung cancer cells.

According to the Cuban Embassy in the US, the vaccine "works by mimicking a molecule found on cancer cells but almost entirely absent in healthy human tissue". It also targets tumors with remarkable precision and has very few side effects.

While advanced NSCLC has limited curative options and poor survival rates, clinical trials of Vaxira showed a significant improvement in survival.

Notably, "one-year survival among patients receiving the vaccine nearly doubled compared with the control group," the post said.

"Real-world data shows median survival of up to 24.5 months in maintenance therapy," it added.

Improved Survival And Minimal Side Effects

Importantly, the vaccine has demonstrated minimal side effects and is considered suitable for long-term use.

The embassy described the vaccine as affordable and accessible compared with many immunotherapies.

In 2025, Vaxira also received Cuba's National Technological Innovation Award.

The commercial rollout of Vaxira is being facilitated by the international public-private consortium ReComBio, linking Havana's Center of Molecular Immunology (CIM) with Argentina's Elea Laboratories.

Lung Cancer is one of the most common and serious types of cancer. It is also the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with approximately 2.5 million new cases and 1.8 million deaths reported in 2022.

According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer mainly occurs in older people. Most people diagnosed with lung cancer are 65 or older; a very small number of people diagnosed are younger than 45.

The average age of people when diagnosed is about 70.

It is also the leading cause of cancer death in the US, accounting for about 1 in 5 of all cancer deaths.

Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC): This is the most common form, making up about 80–85% of all cases. NSCLC includes three subtypes:

<ul><li>Squamous cell carcinoma</li><li>Adenocarcinoma</li><li>Large-cell carcinoma</li></ul>

Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC): Less common than NSCLC, this type tends to grow and spread more quickly.

<h2>Early Signs and Symptoms to Look Out For</h2>

Lung cancer symptoms can mimic less serious conditions, which is why they’re often dismissed or misdiagnosed. If you experience the following symptoms persistently, don’t ignore them—regardless of your age or smoking history:

<ul><li>Chest pain or discomfort</li><li>Unexplained shortness of breath</li><li>Persistent cough or wheezing</li><li>Shoulder, back, or rib pain</li><li>Fatigue or sudden weight loss</li><li>Blood in sputum (though not always present).</li></ul>

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Scientists in Cuba have developed a novel vaccine against lung cancer that has shown the potential to improve survival rates among people living with the disease.The vaccine, chemically known as racotumomab, has been developed in collaboration with scientists from Argentina. Vaxira has been approved in Cuba and Argentina for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).How Does Vaxira Work?It helps the immune system recognize and destroy lung cancer cells.According to the Cuban Embassy in the US, the vaccine "works by mimicking a molecule found on cancer cells but almost entirely absent in healthy human tissue". It also targets tumors with remarkable precision and has very few side effects.While advanced NSCLC has limited curative options and poor survival rates, clinical trials of Vaxira showed a significant improvement in survival.Notably, "one-year survival among patients receiving the vaccine nearly doubled compared with the control group," the post said."Real-world data shows median survival of up to 24.5 months in maintenance therapy," it added.🇨🇺 Cuba has done it again.Meet VAXIRA® — a therapeutic cancer vaccine developed by Cuban and Argentine scientists that helps the immune system recognise and destroy lung cancer cells. Approved in both Cuba and Argentina for advanced non-small cell lung cancer.🔬 It works by… pic.twitter.com/RZ2hCEi4yp&mdash; Cuban Embassy in US (@EmbaCubaUS) May 29, 2026 ]]>Improved Survival And Minimal Side EffectsImportantly, the vaccine has demonstrated minimal side effects and is considered suitable for long-term use.The embassy described the vaccine as affordable and accessible compared with many immunotherapies.In 2025, Vaxira also received Cuba's National Technological Innovation Award.The commercial rollout of Vaxira is being facilitated by the international public-private consortium ReComBio, linking Havana's Center of Molecular Immunology (CIM) with Argentina's Elea Laboratories.What Is Lung Cancer?Lung Cancer is one of the most common and serious types of cancer. It is also the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with approximately 2.5 million new cases and 1.8 million deaths reported in 2022.According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer mainly occurs in older people. Most people diagnosed with lung cancer are 65 or older; a very small number of people diagnosed are younger than 45.The average age of people when diagnosed is about 70.It is also the leading cause of cancer death in the US, accounting for about 1 in 5 of all cancer deaths.The two main types of lung cancers are:Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC): This is the most common form, making up about 80–85% of all cases. NSCLC includes three subtypes:Squamous cell carcinomaAdenocarcinomaLarge-cell carcinomaSmall-cell lung cancer (SCLC): Less common than NSCLC, this type tends to grow and spread more quickly.Early Signs and Symptoms to Look Out ForLung cancer symptoms can mimic less serious conditions, which is why they’re often dismissed or misdiagnosed. If you experience the following symptoms persistently, don’t ignore them—regardless of your age or smoking history:Chest pain or discomfortUnexplained shortness of breathPersistent cough or wheezingShoulder, back, or rib painFatigue or sudden weight lossBlood in sputum (though not always present).

meet vaxira: the cuban vaccine against deadly lung cancer

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Meet Vaxira: The Cuban Vaccine Against Deadly Lung Cancer

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