Dr. Agustin Lage, Director of Center of Molecular Immunology of Cuba, addresses an audience (YU LINTAO)

Biotechnology can turn cancer into a manageable disease, said Dr. Agustin Lage, Director of the Center for Molecular Immunology (CIM) in Cuba, at a press conference held at the Cuban Embassy in Beijing on February 23.

Together with his colleagues, Lage came to China to participate in a conference hosted by Biotech Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. (BPL), a Sino-Cuban joint venture dedicated to monoclonal antibodies and vaccines. As the largest Sino-Cuban biotechnology project, BPL has made remarkable achievements in cancer treatment.

Lage praised the positive effects of nimotuzumab, a new antitumor drug and the first humanized antibody to be approved by China's State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA). So far, more than 10 thousand Chinese people with cancer have benefited from the new drug. In combination with radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or used alone, nimotuzumab is indicated for the treatment of tumors of epithelial origin. At present, Nimotuzumab has been approved for use in clinical test in treatment of lung cancer, esophageal cancer, intestinal cancer, gastric cancer, liver cancer and neuroglioma by the SFDA.

Lage also recommended new anticancer products about to be introduced to China, such as the CimavaxEGF therapeutic lung cancer vaccine, tested in Cuba and approved by the SFDA for clinical trials in China.

Shi Yuankai, Vice President of Cancer Institute and Hospital (CIH) of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, said "We are fully prepared for the clinical trial. CIH is the partner of the first phase of clinical trials for the new vaccine."

The vaccine is not preventive like other types of vaccines, but it can turn aggressive late-stage lung cancer into a manageable illness by creating antibodies targeting the proteins which cause uncontrolled cell proliferation. The vaccine does not destroy cancer, but it makes it less lethal.

According to Lage, biotechnology could not only provide new products for cancer treatment, but also change people's views on cancer treatment. Previously, cancer was seen as a terminal illness. But now, people can accept the idea that cancer is treatable and manageable like any other chronic disease. People with cancer might survive many years without much pain and enjoy a relatively high quality of life.

To better meet demands of cancer patients, more of these new biotech drugs are needed. Thus, great efforts are required for scientists and doctors to develop more high-quality and low-cost products and test more effective therapies. Throughout his life, Lage has devoted himself to molecularly targeted tumor therapy. For his outstanding achievements in tumor metastasis research, President Hu Jintao granted Lage the China International Science and Technology Cooperation Award.

BPL is also increasing its research strength in the field. Bai Xianhong, Chairman of BPL, said "With the spirit of dedication, cooperation and innovation, BPL will devote extensive efforts in developing innovation and supply society with anticancer medicines that can make a difference in people's lives."