Endothelial dysfunction in rectal cancer patients chronically exposed to ionizing radiation.

We sought to identify the features of endothelial function in rectal cancer patients who were exposed to chronic ionizing radiation from a nuclear test site in Kazakhstan. We examined 146 individuals, 76 of whom were rectal cancer patients. The existence of a complex of disturbances of the endothelium and hemostasis systems in patients vs non-patients was revealed. Endothelial dysfunction was expressed as an increase of nitric oxide (NO) production along with decreases in vasodilatation function, and increased levels of von Willebrand factor in blood, along with an increase in the number of circulating endotheliocytes. Significant correlations between indicators of endothelial function and vascular-platelet hemostasis were observed. These changes and their interrelations were expressed more strongly in the patients who lived in the contaminated area around the nuclear test site. Such patients could have an increased risk of thrombosis and other complications after the treatment of a malignant neoplasm.

Effects of metastatic CRC predictors on treatment outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most commonly diagnosed malignant tumor. The problem of mCRC is urgent due to both an increase in the number of metastatic tumors and the implementation of high-tech treatment methods that have significantly improved the results of a 5-year survival. METHODS: The research used the method of experiment and observation. Current study included data of 332 patients with CRC who received comprehensive treatment from 2014 to 2018 in oncology centers of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The patients were treated according to the clinical protocols for the treatment of oncological diseases approved in the Republic of Kazakhstan, including surgical treatment, as well as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, depending on the stage and localization of the process. A comprehensive treatment also included surgical treatment, chemotherapy, targeted chemotherapy and, in some cases, radiation therapy for rectal cancer. The diagnosis was confirmed morphologically in all patients; process dissemination was recorded using standard examination methods. Among the patients, women prevailed - 182 (54.8%) women and 150 men (45.2%) were included; the Caucasian race prevailed - 170 (51.2%) patients and 162 (48.8%) patients were of the Asian race. The mean age of the patients at the time of treatment was 56.4 ± 0.6 years (from 25 to 79 years). Histologically, adenocarcinoma prevailed represented by glandular - in 95.6%, mucous - in 2.9% and trabecular - in 1.5% of cases. A comprehensive treatment was used in 209 (63.0%) patients and other types of treatment were used in 123 (37.0%) patients (PCT, stoma + PCT). Radiation therapy was administered to 13 (3.9%) patients diagnosed with rectal cancer. RESULTS: A comparative analysis of the results of pharmacotherapy in the patients with mCRC showed that of 332 patients, 263 (79.2%) received targeted chemotherapy and 69 (20.8%) received standard polychemotherapy. At the time of the study, 85 (32.3%) patients in the targeted chemotherapy group were still alive, with a median survival of 42.0 ± 1.7 months, 95% CI (38.6-45.4). In the polychemotherapy group, 7 (10.1%) patients were alive, while the median survival rate was 20.0 ± 1.7 months, 95% CI (16.6-23.4). CONCLUSION: Based on the results, it was concluded that targeted chemotherapy schemes increased progression-free survival, compared to standard polychemotherapy schemes.

Lung Cancer Screening With Low-dose Chest Computed Tomography: Experience From Radon-contaminated Regions in Kazakhstan.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to present the baseline results of a pilot project conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of lung cancer screening using low-dose chest computed tomography (CT) in regions with excessive radon levels in the Republic of Kazakhstan. METHODS: In total, 3671 participants were screened by low-dose chest CT. Current, former, and never-smokers who resided in regions with elevated levels of radon in drinking water sources and indoor air, aged between 40 and 75 with no history of any cancer, and weighing less than 140 kg were included in the study. All lung nodules were categorized according to the American College of Radiology Lung Imaging Reporting and Data System (Lung-RADS 1.0). RESULTS: Overall, 614 (16.7%) participants had positive baseline CT findings (Lung-RADS categories 3 and 4). Seventy-four cancers were detected, yielding an overall cancer detection rate of 2.0%, with 10.8% (8/74) stage I and a predominance of stage III (59.4%; 44/74). Women never-smokers and men current smokers had the highest cancer detection rates, at 2.9% (12/412) and 6.1% (12/196), respectively. Compared to never-smokers, higher odds ratios (ORs) of lung cancer detection were found in smokers (OR,2.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.52 to 4.05, p<0.001) and former smokers (OR, 2.32; 95% CI, 1.06 to 5.06, p=0.003). The most common histologic type of cancer was adenocarcinoma (58.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of low-dose CT screening for lung cancer in regions with elevated radon levels is an effective method for both smokers and never-smokers.

Impact of Screening on Breast Cancer Incidence in Kazakhstan: Results of Component Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The study is to conduct a component analysis of the dynamics of the incidence of BC (BC) in Kazakhstan, taking into account regions. METHODS: Primary data were for registered patients with BC (ICD 10 - C50) in the whole country during the period of 2009-2018. Evaluation of changes in BC incidence in the population of Kazakhstan was performed using component analysis according to the methodological recommendations. RESULTS: The study period, 40,199 new cases of BC were recorded. The incidence rate increased from 39.5 (2009) to 49.6 in 2018 and the overall growth was 2.8 per 100,000 population of female, including due to the age structure - ∑ΔA=+2.99, due to the risk of acquiring illness - ∑ΔR=+6.82 and their combined effect - ∑ΔRA=+0.31. The component analysis revealed that the increase in the number of patients with BC was mainly due to the growth of the population (ΔP=+31.1%), changes in its age structure (ΔA=+18.0%) and changes associated with the risk of acquiring illness (ΔR=+41.0%). The increase in the number of patients in the regions of the republic is associated with the influence of demographic factors and with risk factors for getting sick, including mammographic screening. CONCLUSION: Thus, as a result of the component analysis, the role of the influence of demographic factors and the risk of acquiring illness on the formation of the number of patients and the incidence of BC was evaluated, while geographical variability was established. This research was the first epidemiological study of the dynamics of BC in the regional context by the method of component analysis in the population of Kazakhstan. The implementation of the results of this study is recommended in management of anticancer activities for BC.

Trends of Colorectal Cancer Incidence in Kazakhstan.

AAMC: Background and objective: Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains one of the most widespread human malignancies. The aim of this study was to study trends of the incidence of CRC in Kazakhstan. Materials and Method: This retrospective study was done using descriptive and analytical methods of oncoepidemiology. Results: During the study period from 2009 to 2018, 28,950 new cases of CRC were recorded, 13,779 (47.6%) cases were allocated to men and 15,171 (52.4%) to women. It was found that the incidence rate of CRC increased from 14.79 (2009) to 17.72 in 2018 and the overall growth was 2.93 cases per 100,000. This increase was due to the age structure ­ ΣΔA=+1.42, the risk of acquiring illness ­ ΣΔR=+1.31, and their combined effect ­ ΣΔRA=+0.20. The component analysis results revealed that the increase in the number of patients with CRC was mainly due to the growth of the population (ΔP=+37.7%), changes in age structure (ΔA=+26.6%), and changes associated with the risk of acquiring illness (ΔR=+24.6%). The number of patients (both sexes) was increasing in many regions largely due to the influence of the age structure of the population. In addition, it was found that growth in the number of patients in most regions, both men and women, was associated primarily with the risk of acquiring illness. Conclusion: The findings of the current study showed increasing trends in the incidence of CRC in all regions of the country. These changes were mainly influenced by demographic factors (population size and age structure), risk of acquiring the disease, and their combined effect.^ieng