Dr Susanti, the Pharmacy lecturer at Universitas Muhammadiyah Purwokerto (UMP), created a remarkable achievement. She succeeded in inventing a Molecular Diagnostic Kit to detect Colorectal Cancer, named BioColoMelt-Dx. The innovation was officially launched by the Pharmacy Indonesian state-owned company, Bio Farma, in the Cancer Hospital (RSK) Auditorium, Dharmais Jakarta.
On this occasion, Budi G Sadikin, the Minister of Health, attended the launching accompanied by Public Procurement Program (LKPP) Azwar Anas; the General Director of Pharmacy and Medical Equipment, Rizka Andalusia; and the Director of Bio Farma, Honesti Basyir.
Dr Susanti explained the BioColoMelt-Dx mechanism in detecting colorectal cancer. First, take samples through polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The PCR is a laboratory examination to detect genetic materials from cells, bacteria, and viruses. “Alhamdulillah, the early development that begins BioColoMelt-Dx has received a grant from Islamic Development Bank,” she said, Wednesday (20/07) in Jakarta.
As reported, the molecular diagnostic product detects genetic abnormalities and mutations that basically occur in colorectal cancer. The product received marketing authorization from the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia (Kemenkes RI) on 1 July 2022 with the number AKD20306220065 and became the first molecular diagnostic for cancer that is produced in Indonesia.
“BioColoMelt-Dx is based on changes detection or genetic mutation based on Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) with High-Resolution Melting Analysis (HRMA) so it is easier to test in a laboratory with limited resources and reasonable cost,” she said.
According to her, the PCR machine is currently available in Indonesia after the Covid-19 pandemic so the BioColoMelt-Dx products are expected to improve in utilizing PCR machines and related facilities to overcome other health problems, especially cancer.
“Blood relative from Lynch Syndrome patients has a high possibility to own similar genetic abnormalities that also share a high risk in suffering several cancers, especially colorectal cancer,” she said in a statement.
She continued that the blood relative of Lynch Syndrome patients should check their health problems earlier to detect cancer that can be prevented and treated in its lower stage. The product has been developed by BioFarma and PathGen based on Dr. Susanti’s research during her doctoral studies at the University of Nottingham under the supervision of Prof Mohammad Ilyas.
Besides becoming an Indonesian diaspora of cancer researchers, Dr. Susanti is also a stage-3 colorectal cancer survivor in 2014 when she was 30. The test sensitivity and specificity of BioColoMelt-Dx are around 95% (very good) and have been tested in approximately 300 samples of colorectal cancer in the UK (Nottingham) and Indonesia with a comparison of standard detection method agreed by the International Safety Regulation Institution, especially Food Drug Administration (FDA).
“Clinical validation tests that used Indonesian patient samples have been conducted in collaboration of Dharmais Cancer Hospital, the Medical Science Faculty, Universitas Indonesia and Dr. Cipto Mangun Kusumo Hospital, Universitas Riau, Dr. Sarjito Hospital, Universitas Gadjah Mada,” she said.
Various parties also supported the development of BioColoMelt-Dx, including the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) and the Indonesian Embassy in London.
“BioColoMelt-Dx is a national and global collaboration that is expected to contribute to Indonesia’s healthcare product sustainability,” she concluded.
