BRIN Explains Nuclear Benefits For The Detection Of Cancer

The Integrated Laboratory for Oceanographic Research (LATERIO) of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN). (ANTARA-HO-Humas BRIN)

JAKARTA - The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) revealed various nuclear benefits in the field of modern medicine that are used for diagnosis to cancer therapy.

Researcher from the Research Center for Radioisotop Technology, Radiofarmaka, and BRIN Biodosymmetry Indra Saptiama said many Indonesians seek cancer abroad, such as the United States, Europe, Japan, and China.

"Many patients in Indonesia seek cancer treatment abroad. Even though it also uses nuclear medicine," he said in a statement quoted in Jakarta, Friday, May 26, quoted by Antara.

Indra said that nuclear medicine currently has a large capitalization in the field of treatment.

Medical or radiofarmaka radioisotopes in Indonesia are needed by hospitals that have nuclear medicine, especially class A hospitals.

However, the products used are 94 percent obtained from abroad, aka imports, and only about 6 percent are produced domestically.

BRIN collaborated with state-owned company PT Kimia Farma regarding research and development of medical radioisotopes in Indonesia.

"Hospitals that can use medical radioisotopes must obtain permission from the Nuclear Energy Supervisory Agency and have a nuclear medicine specialist who already understands the use of these tools," said Indra.

He further said that BRIN and industry players had produced nuclear medical products for public health.

These products include methyl Diphosphonate (MDP) to find out cancer in the bone and 153Sm-EDTMP for palliative therapy of metastatic to bone cancer.

"Usually patients with cancer in the final stage, cancer will spread or metastasize to the bone, causing quite strong pain. Usually using drugs such as morphine and so on with certain levels that doctors have allowed," said Indra.

The 153Sm-EDTMP product can also be an alternative for morphine. If there is morphine, it can be several times, but if 153Sm-EDTMP the frequency of use is longer, three or six months, depending on the patient," he said.

Meanwhile, other radiofarmaka products are 131 I-MIBG Endoneuroscan for neuroblastoma cancer diagnosis, Isobutil Isovitril (MIBI) methody to check or diagnose heart perfusion, Dietilen Triamin Penta Astaat (DTPA) for kidney perfusion diagnosis, and Etambutol to check or diagnose tuberculosis.

The composition of radioisotopes is greater used in hospitals than radiofarmaka. Currently, Iodine-131 and Tc-99m radioisotopes, which have been supplied from abroad, are being developed by BRIN so that their prices can be reduced and access to these products becomes easier.

"The Iododine-131 Oral will later be used by nuclear medicine for diagnosis and therapy of thyroid cancer as well as other thyroid work disorders. Currently, the product will be clinically tested and will later be registered with the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) to obtain a distribution permit number," he said.