On January 6, 2025, the Faculty of Public Health (FPH) at the Universitas Indonesia (UI) held the Doctoral Promotion Session for Rini Mutahar, a doctoral student in the Epidemiology program at FPH UI, at the Doctoral Promotion Room of Building G at FPH UI. The session was chaired by Prof. Dr. Mondastri Korib Sudaryo, M.S., D.Sc., with Prof. dr. Asri C. Adisasmita, M.P.H., M.Phil., Ph.D., serving as the Promoter and Dr. dr. Denni Joko Purwanto, Sp.B(K) Onk, as well as Prof. Dr. dr. Ratna Djuwita, M.P.H., as the Co-Promoters. The doctoral candidate presented a dissertation titled “Clinical Effectiveness and Economic Evaluation of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Locally Advanced Breast Cancer at Dharmais Cancer Hospital in 2011-2016.”
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is the standard treatment for locally advanced breast cancer (LABC). This study evaluated both the clinical effectiveness and the economic aspects of using anthracycline and taxane-based chemotherapy regimens at Dharmais Cancer Hospital from 2011 to 2016. Based on an analysis of 217 patients with locally advanced breast cancer who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy, the study found that the taxane regimen had a 1.5 times greater likelihood of achieving a positive clinical response compared to anthracycline. Patients who did not show a positive clinical response had a 1.7 times higher risk of death compared to those with a positive response. Additionally, patients who underwent therapy with anthracycline had twice the risk of death compared to those using taxane, after accounting for factors such as clinical response, histopathological type, stage, and luminal molecular subtype.
“The results of this study provide strong evidence to consider using taxane regimens as the primary option for treating locally advanced breast cancer,” said Rini Mutahar. From an economic perspective, the evaluation showed an additional cost of 3.1 million rupiahs for each unit of effectiveness, which is the percentage of patients with a positive clinical response when using taxane compared to anthracycline. These findings highlight the importance of conducting more in-depth health technology assessments, particularly for chronic diseases like cancer. The doctoral candidate recommended further studies to explore the impact of diagnostic delays, previous therapy history, and socio-economic factors on treatment success. It is hoped that Rini’s research can serve as a foundation to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of cancer treatment in Indonesia.
Based on the discussion results from the head of the session, Rini Mutahar was declared to have passed and earned a Doctorate in Epidemiology. Rini became the 2nd Epidemiology Ph.D. graduate of 2025, the 118th Ph.D. graduate in Epidemiology, and the 440th Ph.D. graduate from FPH UI. The examination committee for this session consisted of Prof. dr. Mondastri Korib Sudaryo, M.S., D.Sc.; Prof. Dr. drg. Mardiati Nadjib, M.S.; Prof. Dr. dr. Noorwati Sutandyo, Sp.PD., KHOM.; Prof. Dr. dr. Fachmi Idris, M.Kes.; and Prof. Dr. Misnaniarti, S.K.M., M.K.M.
In addition to being an active lecturer at the Faculty of Public Health, Sriwijaya University, Rini is also a member of the Indonesian Association of Public Health Experts (IAKMI) and the Indonesian Epidemiologists Association. She has authored eight scientific articles as of 2024 and has been actively contributing to community service activities since 2015. Her achievements and dedication reflect her commitment to the development of epidemiology and healthcare services to the community. (DFD)