RESUMEN Introducción: La evaluación clínica de vacunas anti-COVID-19 en edades pediátricas, es un desafío en tiempos de pandemia; responde a la urgencia de muestras representativas que contribuyan a la reproducibilidad del estudio en la población real. Objetivo: Caracterizar a los adolescentes participantes del ensayo clínico con la vacuna anti-COVID-19 Abdala, evaluar el cumplimiento del esquema de vacunación y estimar si son representativos de este grupo poblacional. Métodos: Se utilizaron los datos de un ensayo fase II, monocéntrico, no controlado con la vacuna Abdala. Se incluyeron 703 sujetos; 207 (29,4 %) fueron adolescentes de entre 12 y 18 años, aparentemente sanos o con enfermedades crónicas controladas, valoración nutricional entre 10 y 90 percentil y voluntariedad para participar. Se estudiaron datos sociodemográficos, antecedentes patológicos personales, hábitos tóxicos y cumplimiento del esquema de vacunación. Resultados: El promedio de edad fue de 15 años, predominó el sexo femenino (51,7 %), el color de la piel blanca (55,6 %) y la valoración nutricional por encima del 75 hasta el 90 percentil (40,6 %). El 9,6 % tuvo hábitos tóxicos como hábito de fumar e ingestión de bebidas alcohólicas. El 51,2 % presentó algún antecedente patológico personal, con mayor prevalencia para asma bronquial, rinitis y otras alergias. El 95,8 % cumplió con el esquema de vacunación. Conclusiones: Las características sociodemográficas, los antecedentes patológicos personales y hábitos tóxicos descritos en los adolescentes del estudio son representativos para este grupo poblacional de Cuba. Se alcanzó un óptimo cumplimiento del esquema de vacunación.

ABSTRACT Introduction: The clinical evaluation of anti-COVID-19 vaccines in pediatric population, is a challenge in times of pandemic, to respond to the urgency of representative samples that contribute to the reproducibility of the study in the real population. Objective: To characterize the adolescents participating in the clinical trial with the Abdala anti-COVID-19 vaccine, to evaluate compliance with the vaccination schedule and to estimate whether they are representative of this population group. Methods: Data from a phase II trial with Abdala vaccine were used. A total of 703 subjects were included, 207 (29.4 %) of them were adolescents, between 12 and 18 years of age, with apparently healthy or controlled chronic diseases, nutritional assessment between 10 and 90 percentiles, and willingness to participate in the study. Sociodemographic data, personal pathological history, toxic habits and compliance with the vaccination scheme of 3 doses every 14 days were the variables studied. Results: The average age was 15 years, it was predominant female sex (51.7 %), white skin color (55.6 %) and nutritional assessment above 75 to 90 percentiles (40.6 %). The 9.6 % had toxic habits such as smoking and ingestion of alcoholic beverages. Some personal pathological history was in 51.2 % with a higher prevalence for bronchial asthma, rhinitis and other allergies. The vaccination scheme was fulfilled for 95.8 % of individuals. Conclusions: Sociodemographic characteristics, pathological history and toxic habits described for adolescents on the study are representative for this population group in Cuba. The vaccination schedule had an optimal compliance.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Heberprot-P® obtained its first Sanitary Registration in Cuba in 2006, and it is currently approved in 26 other countries. Objective: Describe the sanitary registration process in Mexico of the biotechnological drug Heberprot-P® for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. Methods: The sanitary registration process of Heberprot-P® followed the guidelines of the sanitary regulations of Mexico on the basis of the General Health Law and the Regulation of Supplies for Health. The Pharmacopoeia of the United Mexican States and the official Mexican standards were also revised in order to comply with the requirements for the marketing of medicines in this territory. Results: The registration process began in June 2017 in Mexico with actions to complete the documents and information required in the sanitary registration file to be submitted. Among them are the considerations of the Sub-committee on the Evaluation of Biotechnological Products and the Committee on New Molecules, the evaluation of the file by an Authorized Third Party and documents issued by the National Center for Pharmacovigilance and the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property. The application for sanitary registration was submitted to Cofepris and this was approved in May 2018. Conclusions: The work with groups of experts allowed the Mexican authority to do a more expeditious work based on the evidence of the evaluations carried out that are part of the information of the sanitary registry. As a result of this process, Heberprot-P® was granted the Sanitary Registry in May 2018 and COFEPRIS recognized it as an innovative biotechnological medicine.

RESUMEN Introducción: Heberprot-P® obtuvo su primer registro sanitario en Cuba en el año 2006, actualmente está aprobado en otros 26 países. Objetivo: Describir el proceso de registro sanitario en México, del medicamento biotecnológico Heberprot-P® para el tratamiento de las úlceras del pie diabético. Métodos: El proceso de registro sanitario de Heberprot-P® siguió las pautas de la reglamentación sanitaria de México sobre la base de la Ley general de salud y el Reglamento de insumos para la salud. Se revisaron además la Farmacopea de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos y las normas oficiales mexicanas en función de cumplir las exigencias para la comercialización de medicamentos en este territorio. Resultados: El proceso de registro se inició en junio de 2017 en México con acciones en función de completar los documentos e informaciones exigidas en el expediente de registro sanitario a presentarse. Entre ellos resaltan las consideraciones del Subcomité de Evaluación de Productos Biotecnológicos y el Comité de Moléculas Nuevas, la evaluación del expediente por un Tercero Autorizado y documentos emitidos por el Centro Nacional de Farmacovigilancia e Instituto Mexicano de la Propiedad Industrial. Se presentó la solicitud del registro sanitario ante Cofepris y esta se aprobó en mayo de 2018. Conclusiones: El trabajo con grupos de expertos permitió a la autoridad mexicana hacer un trabajo más expedito basado en las evidencias de las evaluaciones realizadas que son parte de la información del registro sanitario. Como resultado de este proceso, se otorgó el Registro Sanitario a Heberprot-P® en mayo de 2018 y Cofepris lo reconoció como un medicamento biotecnológico innovador.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Parapneumonic pleural effusion is the most common pleural disease in childhood; 40-60 % of cases occur as a complication of community-acquired pneumonia. Given the onset of viscous pleural fluid, with fibrin or septums, intra-pleural fibrinolysis provides benefits to solve this serious condition. Objective: Describe the clinical and imaging evolution of three seriously ill children with complex complicated parapneumonic pleural effusion and empyema. Case presentation: Patients admitted to the Intensive Therapy Unit of "Dr. Eduardo Agramonte Piña" Provincial Pediatric Hospital with the diagnosis of pneumonia acquired in the community worsen with complex complicated parapneumonic pleural effusion, and treated in the intrapleural way with recombinant streptokinase. The first patient showed growth of Pseudomona in the culture of pleural fluid, a pathogen which is not common in acute respiratory infections from the community. The second case was complicated with septic shock; and the third patient had a chest ultrasound that showed multi-sited pleural effusion, with large bags and thick septums. All three cases evolved satisfactorily, without needing surgical treatment, or having adverse reactions attributable to fibrinolytic ones. Conclusions: Intrapleural administration of recombinant streptokinase in seriously ill children with complex complicated parapneumonic pleural effusion and empyema is an effective and safe method in the evacuation of pleural septic focus, which favors infection control, without complications. The cases presented had satisfactory evolution and none of them occurred adversely related to the administration of intrapleural recombinant streptokinase.

RESUMEN Introducción: El derrame pleural paraneumónico es la enfermedad pleural más frecuente de la infancia, el 40-60 % de los casos se presenta como complicación de neumonía adquirida en la comunidad. Ante la aparición de líquido pleural viscoso, con fibrina o tabiques, la fibrinólisis intrapleural aporta beneficios en la resolución de esta grave afección. Objetivo: Describir la evolución clínica e imagenológica de tres niños graves con derrame pleural paraneumónico complicado complejo y empiema. Presentación de casos: Pacientes ingresados en la Unidad de Terapia Intensiva del Hospital Pediátrico Provincial “Dr. Eduardo Agramonte Piña” con el diagnóstico de neumonía adquirida en la comunidad complicada con derrame pleural paraneumónico complicado complejo, tratados con estreptoquinasa recombinante por vía intrapleural; la primera paciente presentó crecimiento de Pseudomona en el cultivo de líquido pleural, patógeno no habitual en las infecciones respiratorias agudas procedentes de la comunidad. El segundo caso, se recibió complicada con shock séptico y el tercer paciente con ecografía torácica que mostró derrame pleural multitabicado, con grandes bolsones y gruesos tabiques. Los tres casos evolucionaron satisfactoriamente, sin necesidad de tratamiento quirúrgico, ni aparición de reacciones adversas atribuibles al fibrinolítico. Conclusiones: La administración intrapleural de la estreptoquinasa recombinante en niños graves con derrame pleural paraneumónico complicado complejo y empiema, resulta un método eficaz y seguro en la evacuación del foco séptico pleural, lo que favorece el control de la infección, sin aparición de complicaciones. Los casos presentados tuvieron evolución satisfactoria y en ninguno se produjo evento adverso relacionado con la administración de la estreptoquinasa recombinante intrapleural.

ABSTRACT Introduction: The parapneumonic pleural efussion as a complication of pneumonias adquired in the community by the pediatric population represents a health problem in the world and in Cuba. The use of intrapleural fibrinolytics is a good therapeutic option. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and security of the use of recombinant streptokinase in the treatment of complex parapneumonic pleural efussion in children. Methods: Phase III confirmatory clinical trial, monocentric, open, randomized and controlled (RPCEC00000292) - named as DENIS study- carried out from September 2018 to October, 2019. There were included children (from 1 to 18 years old) that met the selection criteria including voluntariness. All of them received the established conventional treatment and were distributed in two groups: I- experimental (recombinant streptokinase, intrapleural daily dose of 200 000 UI, 3 - 5 days); II- control (conventional therapy). The main variables were need of surgery and hospital stay. There were also assessed the adverse events. Results: 55 children with the above mentioned disease were assessed; 34 of them (61.8%) were included in the study. Any of the patients of the experimental group required surgery, opposite to the control group that required it in a 25%. The hospital stay was significantly reduced in the group that had treatment with recombinant streptokinase. There were not any severe adverse events related to the experimental treatment. Conclusions: When recombinant streptokinase was administered in the complex parapneumonic pleural efussion resulted in an efficient and safe method for the elimination of the septic focus, with a positive impact expressed in the reduction of complications, the need of surgical treatment and the hospital stay without presenting related adverse events while using it.

RESUMEN Introducción: El derrame pleural paraneumónico como complicación de neumonías adquiridas en la comunidad en la población pediátrica constituye un problema de salud mundial y en Cuba. El empleo de fibrinolíticos intrapleurales es una acertada opción terapéutica. Objetivo: Evaluar la eficacia y seguridad de la utilización de la estreptoquinasa recombinante en el tratamiento del derrame pleural paraneumónico complicado complejo en niños. Métodos: Ensayo clínico confirmatorio fase III, monocentro, abierto, aleatorizado y controlado (RPCEC00000292), realizado entre septiembre 2018 - octubre 2019. Se incluyeron niños (1 - 18 años de edad), que cumplieron los criterios de selección, incluida la voluntariedad. Todos recibieron el tratamiento convencional establecido y se distribuyeron en dos grupos: I-experimental (estreptoquinasa recombinante, dosis diaria intrapleural de 200 000 UI, 3-5 días); II-control (terapia convencional). Las variables principales fueron: necesidad de cirugía y la estadía hospitalaria. Se evaluaron también los eventos adversos. Resultados: Se evaluaron 55 niños con la enfermedad referida, de ellos, 34 (61,8 %) se incluyeron en el estudio. Ningún paciente del grupo experimental requirió cirugía, a diferencia del grupo control que lo requirió en 25 %. Se redujo significativamente la estadía hospitalaria en el grupo que recibió estreptoquinasa recombinante. No se presentaron eventos adversos graves atribuibles al tratamiento experimental. Conclusiones: La estreptoquinasa recombinante administrada en el derrame pleural paraneumónico complicado complejo resultó un método eficaz y seguro para la evacuación del foco séptico, con un impacto positivo expresado en la reducción de complicaciones, la necesidad de tratamiento quirúrgico y la estadía hospitalaria, sin la ocurrencia de eventos adversos relacionados con su uso.

Diabetic foot ulcer is a principal diabetic complication. It has been shown that diabetic patients have decreased growth factor concentrations in their tissues, particularly epidermal growth factor. Growth factor shortage impairs wound healing, which leads to chronic nonhealing wounds and sometimes eventual amputation. Ischemic diabetic foot ulcer is the most difficult to treat and confers the highest amputation risk. Injecting epidermal growth factor deep into the wound bottom and contours encourages a more effective pharmacodynamic response in terms of granulation tissue growth and wound closure. Epidermal growth factor injected into the ulcer matrix may also result in association with extracellular matrix proteins, thus enhancing cell proliferation and migration. Heberprot-P is an innovative Cuban product containing recombinant human epidermal growth factor for peri- and intra-lesional infiltration; evidence reveals it accelerates healing of deep and complex ulcers, both ischemic and neuropathic, and reduces diabetes-related amputations. Clinical trials of Heberprot-P in patients with diabetic foot ulcers have shown that repeated local infiltration of this product can enhance healing of chronic wounds safely and efficaciously. As a result, Heberprot-P was registered in Cuba in 2006, and in 2007 was included in the National Basic Medications List and approved for marketing. It has been registered in 15 other countries, enabling treatment of more than 100,000 patients. Heberprot-P is a unique therapy for the most complicated and recalcitrant chronic wounds usually associated with high amputation risk. Local injection in complex diabetic wounds has demonstrated a favorable risk-benefit ratio by speeding healing, reducing recurrences and attenuating amputation risk. Further testing and deployment worldwide of Heberprot-P would provide an opportunity to assess the product's potential to address an important unmet medical need.

Developing an effective vaccine entails: 1) proper antigenic presentation to the immune system, inducing a response of adequate intensity 2) a long duration for said response 3) the ability to steer this response towards the immune system pattern most suited for the elimination of the pathogen. Among the current crop of adjuvants, only aluminum-based gels and some oil emulsions are compliant with established regulatory and safety requirements and, not surprisingly, have received extensive use. The present work describes the development of a technological framework for the inclusion of virus-like particles (VLP) as adjuvants in vaccine preparations, allowing the induction of a functional immune response in humans that achieves seroconversion and protective antibody levels without the need for additional adjuvants. This technological framework comprises both the production and formulation of antigens as virus-like particles and the use of these VLP as adjuvants for soluble antigens, obtaining high levels of induction of the Th1 cell response which, in combination with the humoral response, have been shown to confer a fully functional immunoprotective status in animal models. Some of the novel aspects of the present work are the development of a common methodology for the obtention and formulation of different VLP; the demonstration that VLP-containing formulations are able to bias response towards a Th1 pattern; the finding that VLP can be used as adjuvants stimulating a fully functional response in humans to soluble antigens; the safety of VLP-adjuvanted formulations and, lastly, the induction of a functional, protective response in animal models and humans.