What is most important is that it could hopefully save or even free women from breast cancer.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Researcher at the National Research and Innovation Agency's (BRIN's) Biotechnology Research Center, Peni Ahmadi, is conducting research to explore the benefits of using Indonesia's marine invertebrate in cancer treatment, especially to suppress breast cancer.

"The expectation is that one day, we can find a medicine that could be used for non-dangerous therapy and also no side effects for patients," she told ANTARA here on Friday.

The research conducted by Ahmadi is called Potent Drug-lead from Indonesian Marine Invertebrates to Suppress Breast Cancer.

Ahmadi believes that marine resources, especially invertebrate, could potentially become the source of a natural compound that acts as anti-infection and anti-cancer agent that is crucial for cancer treatment.

According to Ahmadi, the huge potential of such marine invertebrate could be tapped for cancer treatment, with targeted therapy without any significant side-effects.

Targeted therapy is beneficial as it can accurately target the cancer without destroying healthy cells, which makes its more effective and efficient, and is expected to reduce other problems.

Marine natural compounds reportedly reach around 34 thousand, though only three percent of the total marine natural resources have been utilized, she pointed out.

Despite the fact that marine resources hold vast potential for cancer treatment, their utilization is far from optimal, which necessitates further exploration and research.

Ahmadi started her research in September 2021 and will continue to do so until she is able to derive beneficial results for women, especially to suppress breast cancer.

The research will also be valuable for the scientific world, as it provides information on research development on cancer, specifically breast cancer.

"What is most important is that it could hopefully save or also free women from breast cancer," she affirmed.

In 2002, breast cancer was ranked first on the list of cancer diseases afflicting Indonesia to the extent that almost 25 thousand cases were reported.

In 2012, the number of breast cancer patients in Indonesia drastically increased up to two folds as compared to the previous decade when 50 thousand cases were reported.

By 2022, the number of cases is estimated to continue to increase until it reaches 100 thousand.

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Translator: Martha S, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Sri Haryati
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