Notable correlation between serum epidermal growth factor values and inflammatory status in patients with COVID-19.

Introduction: Despite its crucial role in Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) activation, and the resulting impact on the health-disease process, epidermal growth factor (EGF) is an underexplored molecule in relation to how its serum concentrations relate to other analytes and clinical variables in pathological contexts.

Objective: To clarify the possible correlation between EGF and clinical and analytical variables in the context of COVID-19.

Methods: Cross-sectional observational and analytical study, in patients with virological and clinical diagnosis of COVID-19, selected by simple random sampling, admitted between August and September 2021.

NeuroEPO plus (NeuralCIM) in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's clinical syndrome: the ATHENEA randomized clinical trial.

Background: NeuroEPO plus is a recombinant human erythropoietin without erythropoietic activity and shorter plasma half-life due to its low sialic acid content. NeuroEPO plus prevents oxidative damage, neuroinflammation, apoptosis and cognitive deficit in an Alzheimer's disease (AD) models. The aim of this study was to assess efficacy and safety of neuroEPO plus.

Immune, inflammatory and prothrombotic parameters in COVID-19 patients treated with an anti EGFR antibody.

SARS-CoV-2 infection causes a range of clinical presentations and induces changes in both innate and adaptive branches of the immune system. Furthermore, direct viral action to the cells of the lung promotes over-expression of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) which triggers pro-inflammatory response, contributes to coagulopathy and intravascular thrombi as well as lung fibrosis. Based on the role of this signaling pathway in the pathophysiology of the disease, nimotuzumab, an anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody, was used to treat patients with COVID-19.

Augmenting antibody response to EGF-depleting immunotherapy: Findings from a phase I trial of CIMAvax-EGF in combination with nivolumab in advanced stage NSCLC.

Background: CIMAvax-EGF is an epidermal growth factor (EGF)-depleting immunotherapy which has shown survival benefit as a switch maintenance treatment after platinum-based chemotherapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The primary objective of this trial is to establish the safety and recommended phase II dose (RP2D) of CIMAvax-EGF in combination with nivolumab as second-line therapy for NSCLC.

Methods: Patients with immune checkpoint inhibitor-naive metastatic NSCLC were enrolled using a "3+3" dose-escalation design.

Nimotuzumab Increases the Recovery Rate of Severe and Critical COVID-19 Patients: Evaluation in the Real-World Scenario.

EGFR signaling is an important regulator of SARS-CoV induced lung damage, inflammation and fibrosis. Nimotuzumab is a humanized anti-EGFR antibody registered for several cancer indications. An expanded access study was conducted to evaluate the safety and recovery rate of severe and critical patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, treated with nimotuzumab in combination with the standard of care in the real-world scenario.

Association among Terminally Differentiated T Cells, Frailty, and Dependency in a Group of Cuban Centenarians.

Introduction: Centenarians are considered a model of successful aging. Cuba exhibits one of the oldest populations in Latin America with more than two thousand centenarians.

Methods: This study aimed to evaluate the immune phenotype of forty-three Cuban centenarians, their clinical characteristics such as comorbidities, frailty, body mass index, and some hemochemical parameters.

Multicentre oncology clinical trials in primary health care in Cuba: evaluation of programme implementation in Villa Clara Province, 2010-2020.

Background: The Center of Molecular Immunology of Cuba has developed a programme for the conducting of multicentre oncology clinical trials in primary healthcare centres since 2009.

Aim: To evaluate the ability to conduct oncology clinical trials in primary health care.

Design & Setting: A longitudinal, prospective, analytical study was developed between July 2010 and August 2020 in the Villa Clara province.

Thymic Polypeptide Fraction Biomodulina T Decreases Exhausted and Terminally Differentiated EMRA T Cells in Advanced Lung Cancer Patients Treated With Platinum-Based Chemotherapy.

Lung cancer is the second cause of cancer related deaths worldwide. Chemotherapy and immunotherapy represent the current standard of care for advanced NSCLC. Platinum-based chemotherapy expands late-differentiated T cell populations.

An anti-CD6 antibody for the treatment of COVID-19 patients with cytokine-release syndrome: report of three cases.

In COVID-19, the inflammatory cytokine-release syndrome is associated with the progression of the disease. Itolizumab is a monoclonal antibody that recognizes human CD6 expressed in activated T cells. The antibody has shown to be safe and efficacious in the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis.

Associations among cytokines, EGF and lymphocyte subpopulations in patients diagnosed with advanced lung cancer.

Aging is considered the single most significant risk factor for the majority of common malignances including lung cancer. Together immunosenescence, changes occurring with aging in the immune system, and inflammaging, characterizes by a chronic, subclinical accumulation of pro-inflammatory factors, are suggested to stand at the origin of most of the diseases of the elderly, such as cancer. The aim of this study was to determine associations among lymphocyte subpopulations, pro-inflammatory cytokines and epidermal growth factor (EGF) in patients diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Treatment of COVID-19 patients with the anti-CD6 antibody itolizumab.

Objectives: COVID-19 can lead to a hyperinflammatory state. CD6 is a glycoprotein expressed on mature T lymphocytes which is a crucial regulator of the T-cell activation. Itolizumab is a humanised antibody targeting CD6.

An anti-CD6 monoclonal antibody (itolizumab) reduces circulating IL-6 in severe COVID-19 elderly patients.

Background: Since the COVID-19 outbreak an unprecedented challenge for healthcare systems around the world has been placed. In Cuba, the first case of COVID-19 was reported on March 11. Elderly with multiple comorbidities have been the most risky population.

Use of a Humanized Anti-CD6 Monoclonal Antibody (Itolizumab) in Elderly Patients with Moderate COVID-19.

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a recent outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). In Cuba, the first case of COVID-19 was reported on March 11, 2020. Elderly individuals with multiple comorbidities are particularly susceptible to adverse clinical outcomes in the course of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

COVID-19 and Cancer in Cuba.

The COVID-19 pandemic has called attention to the contribution of comorbidities, including cancer and brought additional challenges to previously existing programs for cancer treatment and control. The COVID-19 pandemic in Cuba was addressed through an integrated all-society action plan that to date has been largely successful with a low incidence of COVID-19 and mortality rates several-fold lower than worldwide averages. Despite downsizing many other health components all oncology services were maintained.

Anti-EGF antibodies as surrogate biomarkers of clinical efficacy in stage IIIB/IV non-small-cell lung cancer patients treated with an optimized CIMAvax-EGF vaccination schedule.

Unlabelled: We previously reported that CIMAvax-EGF vaccine is safe, immunogenic and efficacious to treat advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. A phase III trial was designed using an optimized immunization schedule. It included higher antigen dose and injections at multiple sites.

Identifying predictive biomarkers of CIMAvaxEGF success in non-small cell lung cancer patients.

Background: Immunosenescence biomarkers and peripheral blood parameters are evaluated separately as possible predictive markers of immunotherapy. Here, we illustrate the use of a causal inference model to identify predictive biomarkers of CIMAvaxEGF success in the treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients.

Methods: Data from a controlled clinical trial evaluating the effect of CIMAvax-EGF were analyzed retrospectively, following a causal inference approach.

Biomodulina T partially restores immunosenescent CD4 and CD8 T cell compartments in the elderly.

The changes that occur in the immune system with aging are commonly termed immunosenescence. Immunosenescence affects almost all components and functions of the immune response. The most commonly described change is a decrease in numbers and proportions of naïve T cells combined with the increase of terminally differentiated T lymphocytes, mainly affecting CD8+ T cells.

Differential effects of two therapeutic cancer vaccines on short- and long-term survival populations among patients with advanced lung cancer.

Background: Progress in immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment landscape for advanced lung cancer, with emerging evidence of patients experiencing long-term survivals. The goal of this study was to explore the existence of short- and long-term survival populations and to assess the effect of immunotherapy on them.

Methods: Data from two randomized, multicenter, controlled clinical trials was used to evaluate the effect of two therapeutic vaccines (anti-idiotypic vaccine VAXIRA and anti-EGF vaccine CIMAVAX) on survival curves in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients.

CIMAvax-EGF: Toward long-term survival of advanced NSCLC.

Lung cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common histologic type of lung cancer. Medical and scientific progress has led to longer survival in an increasing number of patients suffering from cancer.

Nimotuzumab: beyond the EGFR signaling cascade inhibition.

One of the most known oncogenes is the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) family. It activates multiple signaling cascades that promote carcinogenesis and immune evasion. Therefore, these molecules have been extensively targeted in cancer immunotherapy.

Nimotuzumab Induces NK Cell Activation, Cytotoxicity, Dendritic Cell Maturation and Expansion of EGFR-Specific T Cells in Head and Neck Cancer Patients.

Survival benefit and long-term duration of clinical response have been seen using the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeted monoclonal antibody (mAb) nimotuzumab. Blocking EGFR signaling may not be the only mechanism of action underlying its efficacy. As an IgG1 isotype mAb, nimotuzumab's capacity of killing tumor cells by antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and to induce an immune response in cancer patients have not been studied.

Immunologic Response Elicited in Breast Cancer Patients Receiving a NeuGcGM3-based Vaccine as Adjuvant Therapy.

This study aimed to investigate the immunogenicity of a cancer vaccine consisting of the NeuGcGM3 ganglioside combined with the outer membrane protein complex of Neisseria meningitides to form very small size particles. The vaccine is administered together with Montanide ISA51, as adjuvant treatment for breast cancer patients. After surgical resection and standard first-line chemo/radiotherapy, breast cancer patients in stage II-III were enrolled in a phase III clinical trial and allocated into 2 strata, according to the number of positive lymph nodes [stratum I (0-3); stratum II (≥4)].

Safety and Immunogenicity of a Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 1 (HER1)-Based Vaccine in Prostate Castration-Resistant Carcinoma Patients: A Dose-Escalation Phase I Study Trial.

Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) remains incurable due to the lack of effective therapies. Activation of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 1 (HER1) in prostate cancer contributes to metastatic progression as well as to disease relapse. Here, we determined the toxicity and immunogenicity of a HER1-based cancer vaccine in CRPC patients included in a phase I clinical trial.

CIMAvax-EGF: A New Therapeutic Vaccine for Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients.

Lung cancer is the common fatal illness with the highest incidence and mortality globally. Epidermal growth factor receptor overexpression by tumor cells is associated with uncontrolled proliferation, angiogenesis, anti-apoptotic signals, metastization, and invasiveness. CIMAvax-EGF vaccine consists of a chemical conjugate of the EGF with the P64 protein derived from the Meningitis B bacteria and Montanide ISA 51, as adjuvant.