CubaPLUS Magazine

A leader in numerous fields of research in hematology and immunology, the Institute of Hematology and Immunology of Cuba (IHI), now celebrating its 60th anniversary, has been and continues to be one of the country’s most important medical centers because of the work it has carried out over all these years and because it has also become the leading institution for transfusion medicine activities, stated its director, Dr. Wilfredo Roque.

In an interview with CubaPLUS Magazine, the Director of this distinguished Cuban healthcare institution spoke extensively about the center he leads, especially significant this year as it marks six decades of work, always contributing to improving the health of the Cuban population.

“Our center,” he added, “became the guiding institution for transfusion medicine activities through the creation of a network of blood banks across all provinces of the country and was a pioneer in the use of regenerative medicine, which was later extended to the rest of the nation and to many other medical specialties.”

“The research and results achieved in the area of sickle cell anemia and the National Program for the Care of Patients with Hereditary Coagulation Disorders are regional benchmarks,” he emphasized.
When asked about the work carried out by the Institute of Hematology and Immunology of Cuba, he explained that it is focused on fulfilling its mission: scientific research, medical care for hematology patients and those with immunological disorders, and the training of highly qualified human resources.

In this regard, he continued, the IHI conducts important in-house research and, in collaboration with other institutions, carries out clinical trials, treats patients with both malignant blood diseases such as leukemias, lymphomas, and myelomas, as well as benign hematological conditions. It also performs hematopoietic stem cell transplants for adults and is the only center in the country where this therapy is performed for pediatric patients.

Later, he referred to the institution’s academic work, supported by a faculty that includes one Emeritus Professor, six Full Professors, and four Consulting Professors. They provide teaching in the medical specialties of Immunology and Hematology, train Health Technology professionals, undergraduate medical and nursing students, and also offer three master’s degree programs: Clinical Hematology, Transfusion Medicine, and Hematology Nursing.

During its 60 years of existence, countless high-impact studies for the country’s public health have been carried out at the institution. Among them are treatment with platelet-rich plasma for hemophilic arthropathy, aimed at managing joint disorders caused by bleeding in hemophilia patients; the immunophenotypic characterization of adipose tissue stem cells in lipotransference samples processed through Nanofat for use in regenerative medicine and aesthetic surgery; and research into survival and relapse factors in pediatric patients with precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, allowing for optimization and personalization of chemotherapy so that lower-risk patients can receive reduced doses of cytostatic drugs.

Also among these investigations is the study of population sensitization with anti-HLA antibodies in Cuban candidates for heart transplantation, useful for preventing organ rejection; flow cytometry diagnosis of acute leukemias, which allows for more precise diagnosis, proper treatment, and follow-up; and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with multiple myeloma, which helps prolong survival.

Among the institute’s most significant achievements with major impact on patient care, Dr. Roque mentioned the clinical trial that led to the approval of the Abdala vaccine for the management of COVID-19; the inclusion of Biomodulina T in the national essential medicines list for treating children with immunodeficiencies and thymic hypoplasia; the introduction of haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for treating hematological malignancies, which has made it possible to find a donor in almost every case; and the use of Emicizumab in patients with severe hemophilia A with factor VIII inhibitors, significantly improving their quality of life.

Regarding the work planned for this year, the specialist revealed that the IHI currently has 27 research projects underway, of which 18 are institutional projects and nine are linked to sector-wide initiatives, four of them associated with cancer research.

He also noted that an important clinical trial is underway to evaluate the immunogenicity, safety, and efficacy of the 11-valent conjugate pneumococcal vaccine candidate (VCN11) in adults.
Another project currently in progress is the “Development of a Vaccine to Induce Anti-D Immunoglobulin in RhD-Negative Humans,” considered highly important because it will make it possible to obtain anti-D immunoglobulin for the primary prevention of hemolytic disease in newborns.

As a Science and Technology institution, in 2024 the IHI received Accredited status with a Gold Medal. It is also currently being evaluated to obtain Good Clinical Practice Certification by Cuba’s regulatory authority, CECMED, which would allow the IHI to become an accredited clinical site for conducting clinical trials, Dr. Roque concluded.

With all of this work, there is certainty that the IHI will continue serving Cuba’s healthcare system for many years to come, benefiting not only Cubans but also people from other countries in need of its services, continuing its remarkable mission of delivering health to all who require it.