Cuban scientists have announced a new vaccine they say extends the lives of lung cancer patients by up to five months.

Scientist Gisela Gonzalez said Tuesday in Havana that the product, called CimaVax EGF, is the first registered vaccine in the world designed to battle lung cancer.  

The researchers also said the vaccine is based on proteins that trigger an immune response from the patient's body and has no side effects.  Development of the vaccine began in 1992.

The Cuban researchers say the drug is undergoing clinical trials in other countries and is likely to be approved next in Peru.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.