Cuba Develops Affordable Cancer Treatment as US Costs Skyrocket
A recent email from a Cuban woman named Belinda to the Hatuey Project highlighted the stark difference in cancer treatment costs between the US and Cuba. Belinda's mother was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma and required pembrolizumab, also known as Keytruda, which has a price tag of $17,000 to $22,000 per month in the US.
The Hatuey Project, which works to provide medical supplies and treatment to Cuba, does not have the resources to purchase Keytruda due to its high cost. However, they did contact Merck, the manufacturer, and made an appeal for a humanitarian consideration for the patient's case.
In contrast, Cuban scientists at the Center for Molecular Immunology have developed a new treatment for advanced melanoma and other cancers, designated 2C12. This treatment shares characteristics with pembrolizumab and will be available free of charge to Cuban patients. Three hospitals in Cuba are currently inviting patients to participate in a study and receive immunotherapy.