Stem cells to treat post COVID-19 lung disease in Cuba.

Tags

#COVID-19 pandemic., #Cuba, #Cuba Saves Lives, #Solidarity with World

Studies conducted in different countries have corroborated that a certain number of patients recovered from COVID-19, mainly those who reached serious condition requiring admission to intensive care units, presenting some type of long-term effect, particularly lung lesions.

Taking into account reports issued on the subject by prestigious international scientific centers, Cuba has also been paying special attention to the medical follow-up of discharged patients, with the aim of detecting in time any damage to the lungs, and preventing its progression toward irreversible respiratory insufficiency.

Among such efforts is the novel clinical trial recently begun at the National Institute of Haematology and Immunology (IHI) of the Ministry of Public Health (Minsap), under the direction of Dr. Consuelo Macías Abraham, director of the institution, who responded to Granma’s questionnaire as follows:

– What is the nature of the clinical trial being conducted at IHI?

It consists of using adult stem cells in the COVID-19 convalescent patient with proven lung lesions. We have been able to include in the study patients who were in serious or critical condition during their hospitalization, presenting acute respiratory symptoms. In these patients, the presence of inflammatory or fibrotic lesions, as long term consequences of infection by the new coronavirus, were detected by means of the high resolution Computerized Axial Tomography (CAT).

The patient is visited at home to explain what the investigation is about. Once consent has been obtained, the patient is transferred to the IHI, where they undergo a comprehensive clinical and laboratory evaluation, including functional respiratory tests.

Then the patient is sent to the National Institute of Oncology and Radiobiology (NIOR) to perform the CAT to look for any injury.

After a comprehensive evaluation of the case by a multidisciplinary team including immunologists, pulmonologists and imaging specialists, the decision is made to apply stem cell treatment.

– What type of stem cells are used?

When the patient is included in the study, treatment begins by injecting Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor, Leukocim, a product manufactured at the Center for Molecular Immunology, to achieve the mobilization of stem cells from the bone marrow to peripheral blood.

This product has proven safety and efficacy in its use, with the same purpose, for haematopoietic transplantation. Subsequently, the patient’s blood is extracted, and the mononuclear cells are separated and concentrated.

Within this cell pool there are haematopoietic stem cells and other non-haematopoietic cells, also from the medullary stromal, which include so-called mesenchymal cells and other very small cells called VSELS, which have immunoregulatory properties and promote the disappearance of lesions and the reconstitution of lung tissue.

The cells are infused intravenously. We evaluate the patient after one month and then again after six months to determine the clinical efficacy of this cell therapy.

– What results do you hope to obtain with the treatment?

The purpose is to eliminate or diminish the interstitial inflammatory or fibrotic lung lesions left by the infection and prevent the progression of the disease, thereby improving quality of life. This treatment will benefit all Cuban patients who were in serious or critical condition with proven pulmonary lesions. We have already treated patients from Havana and have begun to receive patients from other provinces.

– What would be the significance of this contribution for the country’s Public Health?

Without a doubt, it would represent a new achievement of Cuban science, as it would allow for the extension of this treatment to other chronic lung diseases, such as Chronic Obstructive Disease and Idiopathic Fibrosis, among others.

Plus, it would open new horizons in the application of cell therapy in Cuba.

– Can you explain what the term Regenerative Medicine means and when did its development begin in our country?

Regenerative Medicine is a biological discipline, which replaces or regenerates cells, tissues, or organs with the purpose of restoring or establishing normal function. It is developed through cell therapy, bioactive soluble factors, gene transplantation and tissue engineering.

Cuba denounces increased US aggression.

Tags

# The US and its cruel blockade against Cuba, #Ambassador Carlos Fernández de Cossio, #Cuba, #Imperialism, #Terrorism, United States

Havana, Jun 1 (P L) A high official from of Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday said Cuba’s future ties with the United States will depend on what the US political class and other sectors allow the White House to do.

In an interview with Prensa Latina, Ambassador Carlos Fernández de Cossio, director of the United States Relation Department at the Cuban Foreign Ministry, disqualified the inclusion of Cuba in a list of nations that supposedly do not collaborate to fight terrorism.

‘(?) In any sense, the US aggression against Cuba has undoubtedly increased. Now, what can be expected from the future, how far could the present US government go, that depends on what the US political class allows (?)’, he stated.

Fernandez de Cossio noted that ‘there are many US sectors and politicians, both Democrats and Republicans, who supported the rapprochement with Cuba that took place in 2015 and 2016, which they considered a positive step for US foreign policy.’

‘Therefore, the US Government and its conduct can go as far as these groups and sectors within the United States allow’, he said.

Regarding the terrorist attack on the Cuban Embassy in Washington on April 30 and, paradoxically, the US decision to include Cuba in a questioned list, Fernández de Cossío stressed that this was just a ‘flimsy and mendacious’ excuse.

‘There are bilateral agreements signed in recent years under which there are concrete and recent expressions of cooperation with the US Government about fighting terrorism. Some of the examples are very beneficial, especially for the United States,’ he said.

‘The most important thing is that this is a unilateral list, a US State Department’s list that is not endorsed, recognized or even approved by any international organization’, Fernández de Cossio stressed.

Cuba condemns terrorism and political manipulation.

Tags

# Terrorist act against the Cuban embassy in the US, #Cuba, #Imperialism, #Terrorism, #The United States and its imperialist policy, United States

Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs states its strong rejection of the slanderous inclusion of Cuba in the U.S. State Department list of countries which are allegedly not cooperating fully with U.S. efforts against terrorism that was made public on May 13, 2020 and strongly rejected by President Miguel Díaz-Canel. Bermúdez.

This is a unilateral and arbitrary listing with no basis, authority or international support whatsoever which, as is known, only aids attempts to defame and pressure countries refusing to concede to the will of the U.S. government in making their sovereign decisions.

The main argument presented by the U.S. government is the presence in Cuban territory of members of the delegation to peace talks of the National Liberation Army (ELN) of Colombia.

As is well known, the delegation to peace talks between the National Liberation Army (ELN) of Colombia are in Cuba after Ecuador suddenly renounced its commitment to continue as the venue of these talks and, at the request of the Colombian government and the ELN, the venue for the peace process was moved to Havana in May of 2018.

These peace talks began on February 7, 2017 in Quito, Ecuador. Cuba, along with Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Venezuela and Norway, has served as a guarantor of the peace process as requested by the parties.

After Mr. Iván Duque Márquez was inaugurated as President of Colombia on August 7, 2018, representatives of his government, beginning on August 8 that year and until January 2019, had several exchanges with Cuba and the ELN delegation to the peace talks, with respect to continuing the dialogue that had initiated during the Santos Presidency – a process during which our country showed appropriate discretion and acted strictly in its capacity as a guarantor.

Immediately after the bombing of the Police Cadet Academy in Bogota on Jaunary 17, 2019, the president of the Republic of Cuba and our Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed our condolences to the Colombian government and people and particularly to relatives of the victims of the bombing, and reaffirmed Cuba’s strong position rejecting and condemning all terrorist acts, methods and practices in all forms and manifestations.

The Colombian government subsequently took political and legal action against the ELN delegation to the peace talks in Cuba and halted the peace dialogue. Additionally, a decision was made to ignore the Protocol in Case of Rupture, thus openly abandoning and violating commitments made by that state with the other six nations that had signed the accords.

The Protocol in Case of Rupture was signed within the framework of the peace talks held by the government of Colombia, the ELN and guarantor countries on April 5, 2016. It guarantees the safe return of the guerrilla delegation to Colombia if the talks should come to an end.

The Cuban government has stated and continues to state today that, based on the agreed upon documents, the Protocol should be implemented. This stance, which is widely supported by the international community and by circles committed to reaching a negotiated settlement in the Colombian armed conflict, is an accepted universal practice which has been repeatedly ratified as it abides by international law and commitments by the country that serves as a guarantor and the site of the talks. It is the non-implementation of this Protocol that has obliged ELN delegation members to the peace talks to remain in Cuba.

Favourable scenario vs. Covid-19 in Cuba is due to joint effort.

Tags

#COVID-19 pandemic., #Cuba, #Cuba Saves

Havana, May 29 (PL) Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez today stressed that the island maintains a favorable scenario in dealing with the Covid-19, as a result of the joint work of several sectors.

 

In his Twitter account, the Foreign Minister highlighted the professionalism and dedication of the health and science personnel, as well as the support shown by the people for the Government’s measures.

On Friday, the Caribbean nation reported, for the fifth consecutive day, zero deaths, while the number of patients recovered rose to 1,760, for 87.4 percent.

The day before, President Miguel Diaz-Canel, in a working meeting with directors of scientific and innovation centres, praised the sector’s capacities and its contributions to the fight against the pandemic.

The president said that the results of the investigations show the possibilities the island has in this field to face complex situations.

Cuban foreign minister condemns death of African-American in US.

Tags

#Cuba, #Cuba condemns the Trump government for murdering an African American, #Cuba Saves, #Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez, #Imperialism, #Racism

Havana, May 29 (P L) Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez on Thursday described as a brutal assassination the death of African-American George Floyd, who was a victim of a white police officer who pressed his neck with his knee in the US city of Minneapolis.

 

‘George Floyd ‘did not die’. He was brutally assassinated. Unfortunately it is a story that African-Americans know,’ the foreign minister wrote on his Twitter account.

According to Rodriguez, the 46-year-old man was unarmed and was shouting ‘I can’t breathe’, but that was not enough to prevent an injustice.

‘The color of the skin should not define us,’ the head of Cuban diplomacy added in his twit, which he published using the #BlackLivesMatter hashtag.

Cuba defends life.

Tags

#COVID-19 pandemic., #Cuba, #Cuba Saves, #Solidarity with World

Cuba’s accomplishments in the COVID-19 battle do not appear in major media headlines these days. Once again, silence reigns as we defeat the virus, blow by blow, sparing no effort or resource, despite the ironclad U.S. blockade that persists, damages, limits and makes everything more expensive. Amidst this relentless struggle for our people, we also share with those in need beyond our borders.

These achievements are made possible by the Revolution, which with great sacrifice has supported the development of our public health system – universal, free and accessible to 100% of the Cuban population, focused on human beings and not profit.

Although the battle is far from over, Cuba has managed to remain in a favorable position in the fight against the pandemic. Our biopharmaceutical industry and other scientific centers are currently conducting 70 research projects and clinical trials, in addition to producing medicines to the treat COVID patients, which have been requested by dozens of nations.

“The use of two novel drugs to control the hyper-inflammatory reaction that can occur in the lungs, has increased survival rates of patients in serious condition to more than 80% and for those in critical condition to more than 75%,” reported Minister of Public Health José Ángel Portal Miranda.

This is not the reality for sister peoples across our continent, and we cannot remain indifferent. The World Health Organization recently declared Latin America as the new epicenter of the pandemic, adding to the existing burden we bear as the most unequal region on the planet, a result of decades of plunder of our natural resources and neoliberal policies.

As we have done previously in the Non-Aligned Movement Forum and the World Health Assembly, Cuba yesterday, May 28, reiterated our solidarity with the peoples of the region and of the world, during a Latin American and Caribbean Parliaments online working meeting

Cuba and China: A solid bond of mutual solidarity.

Tags

#China, #COVID-19 pandemic., #Cuba, Solidarity

The historical ties between the Communist Parties, governments and peoples of Cuba and China, celebrating the 60th anniversary diplomatic relations this year, have stood the test of time, supported by the deep friendship that sustains them.

The solidarity shared by the two nations during the current pandemic was recognized in a conversation between President Miguel Díaz-Canel and his counterpart Xi Jinping last February, when they exchanged views on the subject and discussed ways to further promote bilateral relations.

During that dialogue, Xi noted that after the initial outbreak of COVID-19, Army General Raul Castro Ruz, first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee, and Diaz-Canel, immediately expressed their solidarity, while the President made a special visit to the Chinese embassy on the island to confirm Cuba’s support.

More recently, the sister nation sent donations for our public health system, while Cuba has shared our positive experiences in the COVID battle to Chinese.

Cuba, the number of Covid-19 recoveries rises to 1,724.

Tags

#COVID-19 pandemic., #Cuba, #Cuba Saves Lives

Havana, May 27 (P L) The number of patients recovered from Covid-19 in Cuba rose to 1,724 with the addition of 15 new medical discharges, the Ministry of Public Health reported this Wednesday.

 

Dr. Francisco Duran, national director of Epidemiology, communicated both statistics in his daily press briefing to update on the impact of the coronavirus SARS-Cov-2 in Cuba.

The total number of recoveries represents 87.3 percent of the 1,974 confirmed cases of the disease in Cuba, said the doctor, who reported 11 new cases among 1,378 tests carried out on Tuesday.

He also stressed that in three days in a row, no deaths occurred, and the toll remains at 82.

US must take care of its citizens, instead of attacking Cuba.

Tags

#COVID-19 pandemic., #impact of Covid-19 on its citizens, United States

Havana, May 27 (P L) Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said this Wednesday that the U.S. government must address the impact of Covid-19 on its citizens, rather than attacking Cuban medical cooperation.

 

On Twitter, the Foreign Minister said that while the U.S. administration is attacking Cuba’s international collaboration, he seems to consider the death of 100,000 Americans acceptable.

Rodriguez noted that prestigious experts in that country say that with adequate and timely measures, a third or half of those people who lost their lives to the pandemic would have been saved.

Cuba insists on maintaining preventative measures to control COVID-19.

Tags

#COVID-19 pandemic., #Cuba, #Cuba Saves Lives, #Solidadrity

The Cuban government reiterated its decision to maintain measures adopted to control COVID-19 and not lower our guard despite the increasingly lower numbers of patients confirmed per day, six this Monday, as well as the reduced number of active patients, 159 of 1,947 total cases confirmed since March 11.

During the first of these regular meetings this week chaired by President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz emphasized the importance of convincing the population to avoid overconfidence and continue to abide by preventative measures.

In his usual update to the country’s leadership on the epidemic, Public Health Minister José Ángel Portal Miranda explained that 2,068 COVID-19 patients remain under care and observation, including those in hospitals, and isolation centers for contacts and suspected cases. This number, he said, is the lowest since April 22, when there were more than 10,700 in these categories.

He added that 96.8% of hospitalized patients are in stable condition; adding that total deaths remain at 82, none on Monday; and 15 medical discharges were granted, for a total of 1,704 patients recovered.