Genetic Characteristics Become Key to Precision Cancer Therapy in Indonesia
The approach to cancer treatment in Indonesia is currently undergoing a significant shift, moving from general conventional methods to more personalised and targeted therapies. A patient’s genetic characteristics have become a crucial variable in determining treatment effectiveness.
Dr Eka Widya Khorinal, a Consultant Haematology-Oncology Specialist at Dharmais Cancer Hospital, explained that every individual possesses a unique biological profile, even when suffering from the same type of cancer. “In the past, cancer treatment approaches largely used the same concept for all patients. However, we now understand that even within the same type of cancer, the characteristics can differ, meaning therapy needs to be adjusted accordingly,” Eka stated during a press conference regarding breast and lung cancer management in Jakarta.
According to Eka, conventional treatments often yield varied results; some patients respond very well, while others experience minimal improvement or no response at all. This is due to differences in the molecular and genetic characteristics of the cancer cells in each patient. By understanding molecular profiles, doctors can predict disease behaviour and determine more accurate therapeutic strategies. This step is considered crucial given the increasing trend of cancer cases in Indonesia.
To support this precision medicine, the medical world is now utilising Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology. This technology allows for the in-depth identification of various genetic changes within cancer cells. Through NGS testing, doctors obtain detailed information regarding a patient’s biomarkers. This data serves as the foundation for selecting ‘targeted therapy’—treatments specifically designed to attack particular molecular characteristics of cancer cells without causing massive damage to healthy cells.
“The combination of genetic testing and appropriate therapy is expected to increase treatment effectiveness while providing better outcomes for patients. Understanding cancer characteristics is an essential step towards more personalised and precise treatment,” Eka concluded.