Despite recently tweeted threats by President-Elect Donald Trump to reverse efforts to normalize U.S. relations with Cuba, Roswell Park Cancer Institute is moving full speed ahead with its Cuban partner, the Center for Molecular Immunology, to test a lung cancer vaccine.
Following the death of longtime Cuban leader Fidel Castro on November 25, President-Elect Trump used his Twitter account to denounce the man he described as a "brutal dictator." He also renewed his criticism of the normalization deal the Obama Administration struck with the communist island. On the campaign trail, Trump noted that because Obama initiated the deal through an executive order, the next president could reverse the deal.
On November 28, Trump tweeted: "If Cuba is unwilling to make a better deal for the Cuban people, the Cuban/American people and the U.S. as a whole, I will terminate deal."
Just two weeks before the presidential election, officials at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo were joined by Governor Andrew Cuomo to celebrate a partnership with the Center for Molecular Immunology, based in Havana, through which the Buffalo center would begin clinical trials of a lung cancer vaccine developed by the latter.
Given Trump's tweets, the question was presented to Dr. Candace Johnson, president and CEO of Roswell Park Cancer Institute: is there cause for concern for the future of the partnership? Johnson told WBFO the short-term answer is no.
"This collaboration with the Cuban scientists and physicians really was initiated when Cuba was in total lockdown," said Johnson, who added that Roswell Park officials acquired permission from the Food and Drug Administration and U.S. Treasury Department to proceed with their partnership.
The Center for Molecular Immunology developed the vaccine CIMAvax to battle lung cancer. Johnson says it shows promise in treating other forms of the disease, including breast, colon and prostate cancer.
Clinical trials are expected to begin later this month, just before Christmas.