West Java, Indonesia — A clinical study by researchers at Universitas Padjadjaran has shown that nutritional status and immune cell activity within tumors play a crucial role in determining how well patients respond to chemotherapy for colorectal cancer.

The research, led by dr. Kiki Lukman, Sp.PA(K)., Ph.D. from the Department of Pathology Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, analyzed data from 59 colorectal cancer patients at Hasan Sadikin Hospital in Bandung. The team assessed the patients’ body mass index (BMI) and the presence of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs)—a type of immune cell found in and around tumors.

The findings revealed that patients who were undernourished or had a low BMI were significantly less responsive to chemotherapy. Meanwhile, those with higher TILs—which signal a stronger immune response—tended to have better outcomes.

“This shows us that cancer treatment doesn’t only depend on drugs—it also depends on the body’s condition and immune readiness,” said Dr. Lukman. “Nutritional support and immune monitoring should be integrated into cancer care from the start.”

The study underscores the need for personalized cancer treatment, especially in Indonesia where late-stage diagnoses and limited resources are common. By identifying early risk factors like malnutrition and weak immune activity, doctors can adjust treatment plans to improve survival rates.

The research promotes health equity and clinical resilience by encouraging simple but impactful interventions like nutrition screening and immune profiling, which are cost-effective and scalable across public hospitals.

This work supports SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, particularly in strengthening cancer care and treatment outcomes. It also highlights Unpad’s commitment to integrated, human-centered research, reinforcing the university’s contribution to the THE Impact Rankings as a pioneer in contextualized healthcare innovation.