Silvi Zakiyatul Ilmiyah, a doctoral student in the Medical Sciences Program, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya (FK UB), is currently conducting research at Chubu University, Japan, through the International Publication Quality Improvement Program (PKPI) funded by the Indonesian Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology. This program runs for four months, from 6 October 2025 to 6 February 2026.
During this research activity, Silvi is supervised by Promotor Prof. Agustina Tri Endharti, S.Si., Ph.D. from FK UB and Host Supervisor Associate Professor Yoshiyuki Kawamoto, Ph.D. from the Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Life and Health Sciences, Chubu University. The research focuses on investigating the effects of a Paclitaxel–Nano Diosgenin combination as an antiproliferative agent through modulation of β3-Tubulin, TIMP1, and TOP2-α in Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) cells.
TNBC is recognized as one of the most aggressive subtypes of breast cancer, characterized by high recurrence rates, resistance to hormonal therapy, and poor prognosis. Paclitaxel is a standard drug used in TNBC therapy; however, its use is often associated with severe side effects on normal cells. Addressing this challenge, the present study proposes an innovative therapeutic approach by combining paclitaxel with diosgenin, a natural compound known for its antiproliferative properties and potential safety advantages. The nano-formulation of diosgenin is expected to enhance its effectiveness and bioavailability, thereby strengthening the therapeutic benefits of the combination.
Throughout her research stay at Chubu University, Silvi has gained valuable experience, including access to advanced laboratory facilities, exposure to a disciplined research culture, engagement in discussions with field experts, and participation in a solid collaborative research team. She hopes that this activity will not only result in high-impact, reputable international publications but also strengthen the collaborative relationship between Universitas Brawijaya and Chubu University in the future.
Furthermore, this collaboration is expected to pave the way for more innovative cancer research, expand scientific networks between Indonesia and Japan, and enhance national research capacity. With the increasing number of international collaborations such as this, Indonesia’s contribution to the discovery of more effective, safer, and sustainable cancer therapies is expected to continue growing and provide broad benefits to the global community.