This article describes a Protocol for a study to determine a scope of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection and evaluate cervical cancer prevention measures in the western Kazakhstan. Introduction-ICO (Institut Catala d'Oncologia) working group in 2015 informed that cervical cancer in Kazakhstan ranked as the 1st most frequent cancer among 15-44 aged women. Aim-comprehensive analysis of the HPV infection across the female population to predict further trends in the cervical cancer morbidity and outline the circle of urgent preventive measures. The most important tasks are the following: to analyze a set of clinical, laboratory and socio-demographic data for identification the region-specific risk factors of the disease; to present a comparative analysis of diagnostic screening tools practiced in the region for the development corrective recommendations for existing screening strategy. Methods-This study constitutes a mix of three different types: interview+cross-sectional study for general female population and interview+case-control study for women with the first time diagnosed cervical cancer, where women of the general sample of the same age with detected HPV infection but not affected by the disease serve as a control for those with the disease. Anticipated Results-A high feasibility and pithiness of this study is expected. Obtaining a wide body of information relatively HPV scope and a quality of the screening process during a patient's single visit is the main strength of the research. Conclusion-Successful implementation of challenges announced in the research can lead to changing a general vector or/and constituent parts of the existing screening program.

Objective To assess the effectiveness of the current cervical cancer screening tools in Western Kazakhstan. Methods Smears taken through (i) conventional cytology using azur-eosin staining and (ii) liquid-based cytology (LBC) ‘Cell Scan’ in the general female population and in women first diagnosed with cervical cancer were collected throughout the region. ROC-analysis with curve construction and weighted Cohen's κ calculation were applied. A total of 494 cytological pairs were collected, including 94 sets with histology findings. Results The conventional (azur-eosin staining) technique contained 0.2% non-informative material and LBC ‘Cell Scan’ had 5.9%. Area under the curve was 0.95 for the conventional technique and 0.92 for ‘Cell Scan’ ( p > 0.05). The conventional smears showed κ 0.62, sensitivity 90.4% at specificity 90.0% for CIN2+, while LBC ‘Cell Scan’ smears showed κ 0.47, sensitivity 83.3% at specificity 92.5%. Conclusions In this analysis it was not possible to prove that the LBC ‘Cell Scan’ technique was superior to its predecessor, azur-eosin staining. These findings highlight the need to modify the current screening programme according to updated international scientific evidence on effective screening design, such as the use of HPV DNA testing with Pap smear triage in women aged 30 or older. Further research, and a Health Technology Assessment, are necessary if we wish to establish a national standardized screening programme using the available technology appropriately.

High-risk human papillomavirus strains are widely known to be the causative agents responsible for cervical cancer development. Aggregated damage caused by papillomaviruses solely is estimated in at least 5% of all malignancies of the human body and 16% in cancers that affect the female genital area. Enhanced understanding of the complex issue on how the high extent of carcinogenicity is eventually formed due to the infection by the Papoviridae family would contribute to enhancing current prevention strategies not only towards cervical cancer, but also other HPV associated cancers. This review article is aimed at presenting the key points in two directions: the current cervical cancer prevention and related aspects of HPV behavior. Virtually all applied technologies related to HPV diagnostics and screening programs, such as HPV tests, colposcopy-based tests (VIA/VILI), conventional and liquid-based cytology, currently available are presented. Issues of availability, advantages, and drawbacks of the screening programs, as well as vaccination strategies, are also reviewed in the article based on the analyzed sources. The current point of view regarding HPV is discussed with emphasis on the most problematic aspect of the HPV family concerning the observed increasing number of highly carcinogenic types. Present trends in HPV infection diagnostics throughout the human fluids and tissues are also reported, including the latest novelties in this field, such as HPV assay/self-sample device combinations. Besides, a brief outline of the related prevention issues in Kazakhstan, the leading country of Central Asia, is presented. Kazakhstan, as one of the post-soviet middle-income countries, may serve as an example of the current situation in those terrains, concerning the implementation of globally accepted cervical cancer prevention strategies. Along with positive achievements, such as the development of a nationwide screening program, a range of drawbacks is also analyzed and discussed.

Introduction  The study is aimed to outline the vector of colorectal cancer incidence in the industrial Aktobe province of western Kazakhstan through the first decade of the screening implementation, 2009–2018. Methods  Rough incidence rates and annual percent changes were estimated for each age group at diagnosis, ethnicities, gender, residences, the disease stages and anatomic subsites (total N 1128) via regression analysis. Results  Within 2009–2018 colorectal cancer rates increased from 14.74 to 23.19, with annual percent changes of 4.69%. The most significant growth was traced in men compared to women, up to 28.39 by 2018, with annual percent changes 6.64% vs. 2.64% (p = 0.0009). Annual percent changes in Kazakhs reached 8.7%, whereas Slavic groups showed decline in the incidence, annual percent changes −4.3% (p = 0.002). Declining in rates was also observed in urban population compared to rural one, annual percent changes −3.3% vs. 17.6%, respectively. Patients aged 60–69 made 31% of all cases and showed the largest annual percent changes 9.37% (p = 0.002). Patients at Stage II made 61% of all observations, but general trend evidenced sharp growth in the group of Stage I (annual percent changes 28.91%, p < 0.0001). Conclusion  Overall, during the last decade colorectal cancer incidence increased 1.5 fold with expected further rise. However, the increment of Stage I portion by 2018 vs. advanced stages at diagnosis and the trend to decrease in rates among urban population inspire a definite assurance in potential efficiency of the screening program in long run. The next researches on colorectal cancer should include scenarios to reveal the role of disadvantaged environment in the region and consuming unhealthy ultra-processed food.

During 2014-2017, a survey concerning risk factors for cervical cancer involving 1166 clinically healthy women and 65 having CaCx was conducted in Western Kazakhstan. Only 34.7% of interviewees constantly participated in state-sponsored screening program, while 37.3% ignored screening in free state-sponsored clinics. Favorable attitude toward vaccination stated 22.9% of the respondents, whereas 38.8% knew nothing, and 33.6% could not clarify their position in this issue. Education is a key factor for better perception of preventive measures-69.2% of the respondents with higher education are aware of vaccination (p ≤ 0.00001, Cramer's V 0.18, χ 2-23.1). Social profiles of HPV-infected and CaCx-diseased women differ significantly and, mainly, by standard of living and occupational status. The likelihood of the CaCx onset in Western Kazakhstan decreased by 14 times at relatively high standard of living (OR 0.0713, p = 0.024) and by 3.3 times provided at least irregular participation in screening (OR 0.3384, p = 0.0304). Overall, the findings are quite able to contribute to an understanding why women become affected by CaCx. Low standard of living due to lack of education, low attendance of screening, and low awareness on preventive measures-all these reasons are interacted and constitute a set of universal triggers for vulnerability toward CaCx.

Objective: to detect the HPV types distribution both in general female population and in women with first diagnosed cervical cancer, including viral load in both groups. Methods: Qualitative detection and quantification of HPV was performed by PCR-Real time method based on the Russian equipment and test systems ("DNA-Technology" LLC, Russia). The DNA of low-risk (HPV 6, 11, 44) and possibly / potentially / high carcinogenic risk (HPV 16, 18, 26, 31, 33 , 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 53, 56, 58, 59, 66, 68, 73, 82), a total of 21 types, were detected. Results: During the period of 2014-2017 total 1,166 clinically healthy women were tested for HPV, as well as 73 women diagnosed with CaCx. Overall prevalence of HPV in female population was determined as 25.0% (95% CI 22.3;27.7, p = 0.05). Top-5 leading HPV types: 16 (26.4%); 31 (10.1%); 51 (9.4%); 52 (9.0%); 6 (7.9%). Average viral load was 5.5±3.8 (CI 95% 5.1;5.9). In women diagnosed with CaCx ranking was as follows -16 (54.1%), 31 (11.2%), 18 / 58 (5.1% each), 33 / 45 (4.1% each). Type 16 appeared to be one of the most significant risk factors of the CaCx development (p=0.00007, phi 0.35, Pierson's X 2 15.9). Average viral load in patients with CaCx was 6.9±4.0 (95% CI 6.1;7.7). A reliable relationship between the cancer staging and the viral load was found (p = 0.043, n = 73). Domination of type 16 calls for urgent need the transition to HPV primary screening and resumption of immunization program discontinued in 2014. The study is registered in ISRCTN registry, No. ISRCTN71514910 (01.02.2018).

As known, the clinical efficacy of chemotherapy is limited by the cardiotoxicity of drugs used.The study aimed to clarify cardiotoxic complications of chemotherapy from the Aktobe Medical Center database for 2018-2019. Material and methods:We performed a register study on essential parameters of the oncological process, drugs used, duration of chemotherapy, types of complications, and outcomes, including survival.Results: We found a total of 305 breast cancer cases. Chemotherapy was completed without complications in 65.9% of patients; treatment was interrupted due to complications -10.5%; 6.2% of cardiovascular complications were identified. The two groups of patients, EchoCG + and EchoCG -, showed significant difference in the number of detected CV complications (p<.001) but no difference in the survival rate (p .814). The survival rate in patients with documented CV complications was 28.1 months vs. 34.3 months in the group without ones (p.005). The survival rate in those who completed the treatment without complications, was 34.9 months vs. 17.6 in individuals whose treatment was interrupted due to complications (p<.001). We performed a detailed review of four cases of cardiotoxicity with fatal outcomes. Conclusion:The analysis indicates the absence of a systematic approach to recording crucial information regarding cardiotoxicity. There is a lack of concordance in the actions of cardiologists and oncologists in the management of BC patients. The presence of lethal outcomes of chemotherapy with an established cause of cardiac death indicates the need to revise the cancer register management from the standpoint of cardio-oncology. In general, there is a need to develop local protocols for screening and monitoring patients undergoing cardiotoxic chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

The prognosis of cancer treatment depends on, among other aspects, the cardiotoxicity of chemotherapy. This research aims to create a feasible algorithm for the early diagnosis of antitumor therapy cardiotoxicity in breast cancer patients. The paper represents a protocol for a prospective cohort study with N 120 eligible participants admitted for treatment with anthracyclines and/or trastuzumab. These patients will be allocated into four risk groups regarding potential cardiotoxic complications. Patients will be examined five times every three months for six biomarkers,: cardiac troponin I (cTnI), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), C-reactive protein (CRP), myeloperoxidase (MPO), galectin-3 (Gal-3), and D-dimer, simultaneously with echocardiographic methods, including speckle tracking. The adjusted relative risk (aOR) of interrupting an entire course of chemotherapy due to cardiotoxic events will be assessed using multiple analyses of proportional Cox risks. The Cox model will also assess associations between baseline biomarker values and time to cardiotoxic events. Moreover, partly conditional survival models will be applied to determine associations between repeated assessments of changes in biomarkers from baseline and time to cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction. All models will be adjusted for cancer therapy regimen, baseline LVEF, groups at risk, baseline biomarker values, and age. The decision-tree and principal component analysis (PCA) methods will also be applied. Thus, feasible patterns will be detected.