"Currently, the palliative therapy service (using) Sm153 EDTMP has also been offered by BPJS (state-run Healthcare and Social Security Agency)," Agus Ariyanto, one of the researchers of Samarium-153 EDTMP at BRIN's Research Center for Radioisotope, Radiopharmaceutical, and Biodosimetry Technology, explained here on Thursday.
Ariyanto said, the production process of Sm153 EDTMP takes 8-10 days, starting from preparation of the irradiation target, the irradiation process, post-irradiation handling, marking, quality testing, packaging, and delivery, to its application on patients.
Based on the 2020 data, shipments of the Sm153 EDTMP product increased by 43.82 percent, and the total delivery of products to hospitals was 14,250 mCi, Ariyanto revealed.
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Meanwhile, the downstreaming and commercialization of the Samarium-153 EDTMP product are currently conducted by state-owned pharmaceutical firm PT Kimia Farma under the trade name TBONE KaeF.
Dr. Sardjito RSUP's Head of Radiology Installation Dr Hanif Afkari said that the therapy using Samarium-153 EDTMP compound is for bone pain palliation.
Afkari said therapy using Samarium-153 EDTMP can reduce pain in patients, whose cancer has spread to their bones.
Prior to therapy, the patient will undergo a bone scan, an imaging technique to diagnose several types of bone diseases, using a gamma camera.
If the patient is detected positive for presence of cancer cells that have spread to the bones, then the next step is to be treated by administering Samarium-153.
"Samarium-153 has a mild radiation effect, so there is no need to worry about it," Afkari said.
Afkari stated that by administering Samarium-153 EDTMP during therapy, patients will be free from pain, so that their quality of life improves.
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Translator: Martha S, Kenzu T
Editor: Suharto
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