Improving the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases in Kazakhstan by introducing correction of metabolism with glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1)
BR24993023
Program-Targeted Funding
About the program
Relevance

The program is designed to address one of the most critical challenges in Kazakhstan’s healthcare system—cardiovascular disease (CVD). CVD remains a major concern in the country, contributing significantly to both high mortality and disability rates among the population.

The scientific impact of the Program lies in generating new insights into the mechanisms and pathways of cardiovascular disease (CVD) development. These findings will form the foundation for developing methodological approaches to early diagnosis, prediction, prevention, and personalized treatment. Additionally, the Program aims to create innovative data analysis methods, aligning with the "Kazakhstan-2050" strategy and the National Development Plan of the Republic of Kazakhstan through 2025.

Goals

The primary goal of the Program is to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases in Kazakhstan by introducing metabolic correction using glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) based therapies.

Expected Results

We aim to achieve the following by the end of the program:

  • To determine the molecular and genetic characteristics of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in the Republic of Kazakhstan through genomic profiling.
  • To develop and optimize bioinformatic methods for analyzing NGS and TGS data to identify structural genomic variants in patients with cardiovascular diseases.
  • To evaluate the mutational load in Kazakhstani patients with cardiomyopathy, cardiac arrhythmias, and hereditary cardiac syndromes (channelopathies).
  • To assess the effectiveness of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists in patients with various forms of cardiovascular disease through clinical research.
  • To identify molecular and biological markers of metabolic and bioregulatory dysfunctions in patients treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists.
  • To determine subgroups of cardiovascular patients for whom metabolic correction with GLP-1 receptor agonists is most effective in improving cardiovascular function.
Achievements (as of 2024)
  • A clinical trial protocol has been developed, including clearly defined patient selection criteria and inclusion/exclusion parameters.
  • Recruitment of study participants is underway; data collection and blood sample acquisition are in progress.
  • Bioinformatic analysis of second- and third-generation sequencing data (NGS, TGS) is being optimized to identify structural variants in the genomes of patients with cardiovascular diseases.
  • Genetic studies—including targeted sequencing as well as whole-genome and whole-exome sequencing—are being conducted in patients with CVD
Research directions
Determination of the Molecular and Genetic Characteristics of Cardiovascular Diseases in the Republic of Kazakhstan

Utilizing second- and third-generation sequencing technologies (NGS, TGS).

Conducting a Clinical Trial on the Use of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) Receptor Agonists in Patients with Various Forms of Cardiovascular Disease
Administering treatment and monitoring patient groups
Identification of Patient Subgroups with CVD for Whom Metabolic Correction with GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Is Most Effective in Improving Cardiovascular Function
Analyzing results from the clinical trial on GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs).
Developing recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases through metabolic correction using GLP-1–based therapies.

Consortium
Lead Institution
Collaborating Institutions

Research group
  • Ainur R. Akilzhanova
    MD, PhD, Head of the Laboratory of genomic and personalized medicine, PI “National Laboratory Astana”
    ORCID: 0000-0001-6161-8355
  • Dos Sarbassov
    Principal investigator, PhD, General Director, PI “National Laboratory Astana”
  • Ulan А. Kozhamkulov
    – PhD, Leading researcher, Laboratory of genomic and personalized medicine, PI “National Laboratory Astana”
  • Saule Ye. Rakhimova
    PhD, Leading researcher, Laboratory of genomic and personalized medicine, PI “National Laboratory Astana”
    ORCID ID: 0000-0002-8245-2400
  • Dauren A. Yerezhepov
    PhD, Leading researcher, Laboratory of genomic and personalized medicine, PI “National Laboratory Astana”
    ORCID: 0000-0002-4161-1348
  • Dr. Ulykbek Kairov
    Leading Researcher, Head of Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, NLA
    ORCID: 0000-0001-8511-8064
  • Akbota M. Aitkulova
    PhD in Biology, researcher at the Laboratory of Genomic and Personalized Medicine
    ORCID: 0000-0001-5016-0932
  • Dr. Almagul Kushugulova
    Head of the Laboratory of Microbiome, NLA
    ORCID: 0000-0001-9479-0899
  • Bakytgul А. Yermekbayeva
    MD, Leading researcher, Laboratory of drag design and development, PI “National Laboratory Astana”
    ORCID: 0000-0003-1407-6332
  • Dinara А. Begimbetova
    PhD, Leading researcher, Laboratory of molecular oncology, PI “National Laboratory Astana”
    ORCID: 0000-0002-0643-6257
  • Diana Samatkyzy
    Researcher, Laboratory of genomic and personalized medicine, PI “National Laboratory Astana"
    ORCID: 0000-0001-8129-6218
  • Ainur Akhmetova
    MSc, National Laboratory Astana, Laboratory of Genomic and Personnelized Medicine
    ORCID: 0000-0002-5557-3338
  • Abilova Zhannur
    Master of National Laboratory Astana, Laboratory of Genomic and Personalized Medicine
    ORCID: 0009-0005-3616-5661
  • Zhalbinova Madina
    PhD “National Laboratory Astana”, Laboratory of Genomic and Personnelized Medicine
    ORCID: 0000-0001-9704-8913
  • Nazerke Satvaldina
    MSc, Associate Researcher
    ORCID: 0000-0002-0611-4485
  • Ayaulym Chamoyeva
    MSc, National Laboratory Astana, Laboratory of Genomic and Personnelized Medicine, Research Assistant
    ORCID: 0000-0003-0877-3537
  • Gabdulkayum Aidana
    Master's student of National Laboratory Astana, Laboratory of Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Research Assistant
    ORCID: 0000-0003-1551-3637
  • Tomiris B. Kadenova
    Research assistant, Laboratory of genomic and personalized medicine, PI “National Laboratory Astana”
  • Shakhmarova Tomiris
    Bachelor of CSU “National Laboratory Astana”, Laboratory of Genomic and Personalized Medicine
    ORCID: 0009-0008-6884-3908
  • Mirmanova Janel
    Bachelor of CSU “National Laboratory Astana”, Laboratory of Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Research Assistant
    ORCID: 0000-0002-0284-3891
  • Asset Daniyarov
    Researcher, NLA
    ORCID: 0000-0003-2339-5204
  • Kuanysh Zhapar
    Researcher, NLA
  • Rassul Shokenov
    Researcher, NLA
    ORCID: 0009-0007-2867-3126
  • Оmirgul Bakenova
    Researcher, NLA
    ORCID: 0009-0009-9825-1513

Publications
  • Chamoieva, A.E.; Mirmanova, Z.Z.; Zhalbinova, M.R.; Rakhimova, S.E.; Daniyarov, A.Z.; Kairov, U.Y.; Baigalkanova, A.I.; Mukarov, M.A.; Bekbossynova, M.S.; Akilzhanova, A.R. Targeted NGS Revealed Pathogenic Mutation in a 13-Year-Old Patient with Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia: A Case Report // // International Journal of Molecular Sciences. – 2024. – Vol. 25, 11882. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252211882 (IF – 4.9; Web of Science - Q1, Scopus – 90%).
  • Madina R. Zhalbinova, Saule E. Rakhimova, Ulan A. Kozhamkulov, Kenes R. Akilzhanov, Nurlan K. Shaimardanov, Gulbanu A. Akilzhanova, Joseph H. Lee, Yuriy V. Pya, Makhabbat S. Bekbossynova, Ainur R. Akilzhanova. The impact of genetic polymorphism on complications development in heart failure patients // Journal of Clinical Medicine. В печати. (IF – 3.0; Web of Science - Q1, Scopus – 87%).
  • Shokenov R.D., Shakhmarova T.K., Mirmanova Zh.Zh., Chamoieva A.Ye., Zhalbinova M.R., Rakhimova S.E., Bekbossynova M.S., Akilzhanova A.R. Characterizing the Role of ABCG5/G8 in Sitosterolemia: Diagnostic Challenges in Differentiating from Familial Hypercholesterolemia // Science and Healthcare. 2024. Vol.26 (5), pp. 7-14. doi 10.34689/SH.2024.26.5.001.
Acts of implementation
  • Akilzhanova, A.R. Act of implementation of the research project results: "Use of whole-exome next-generation sequencing (NGS) in molecular autopsy of young individuals who died from sudden cardiac death." PI, National Laboratory Astana, 2024.
  • Akilzhanova, A.R. Act of implementation of the results of the research project: "Use of targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) using a 96-gene candidate coding sequence-enriched panel and the Illumina TruSight Cardio panel (174 genes) in molecular autopsy of young individuals who died from sudden cardiac death." Principal Investigator, National Laboratory Astana, 2024.

Information for potential users & societal impact
Who Can Benefit from This Research?

Academic Researchers
Access to new materials, data, and collaborations for research in the fields of molecular biology and medical genetics.
Industry Partners
Implementation and optimization of a treatment protocol using glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists in patients with cardiovascular diseases, as well as the development of educational materials based on new ideas about the genetic mechanisms and pathways of CVD development.
Government and Policymakers
An important objective of healthcare in the Republic of Kazakhstan, particularly in the fields of cardiology and public health, is the development of methodological approaches for the early diagnosis, prognosis, prevention, and personalized treatment of patients with various CVDs.
Medicine
Optimization of therapeutic protocols for patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus through metabolic correction using GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), with applications in cardiology, endocrinology, and internal medicine.