Nuclear medicine plays a critical role in the early diagnosis and treatment of cancer through the use of radiopharmaceuticals and advanced imaging techniques. It is becoming especially vital for Central Asia, where growing cancer rates demand modern treatment approaches and stronger international collaboration in this field.
According to health ministry data, the cancer situation in Central Asia is gradually worsening. Kazakhstan has the highest incidence rate (204 cases per 100,000 people), with the number of cases rising by 7.5% annually since 2020.
7.5%
Annual increase in cancer cases in Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan is a regional leader in nuclear medicine development. The country hosts specialized nuclear medicine centers such as the Kazakh Research Institute of Oncology and Radiology, the Republican Diagnostic Center, and MIG Qazaqstan in Almaty, Astana, Shymkent, and Semey.
In February 2025, Kazakhstan approved a national program to further develop nuclear medicine. The country continues to actively collaborate with Russia in this field.
“Historically, Russian and Central Asian scientists have worked closely in nuclear physics. Joint research, knowledge sharing, and participation in international projects have strengthened scientific ties and laid the groundwork for continued cooperation,” says Monish Arora, Expert Director at the international consulting firm Yakov and Partners. “Partnering with Russia gives Central Asia access to cutting-edge nuclear medicine technologies, including cancer diagnostics and treatment, as well as production of radiopharmaceuticals.”
Radiopharmaceuticals enable highly effective and precise cancer diagnostics and treatment.
These drugs are created by tagging isotopes to specially designed compounds that target specific cells or tissues for examination or destruction. The molecule delivers the isotope to the targeted cell, destroying it during treatment or ‘highlighting’ it during diagnostic procedures.
Rosatom ranks among the world’s top five suppliers of isotope products for nuclear medicine and leads globally in the variety of isotopes it produces. Each year, Rosatom’s isotopes are used to perform around 2.5 million diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in Russia and worldwide. They are supplied to 50 countries, including Kazakhstan. For example, the country already uses 153Sm Oxabiphore, a samarium-containing radiopharmaceutical drug.
“We’re pleased to see Rosatom and Kazakhstan expanding their cooperation in nuclear medicine, making advanced radionuclide therapies more accessible. Samarium 153Sm Oxabiphore has some valuable properties that make it competitive in the nuclear medicine market. It provides rapid pain relief and does not require hospitalization,” said Maxim Kushnarev, CEO of V/O Izotop.
The Ministry of Energy Institute of Nuclear Physics, which was established in Kazakhstan in 1957, operates 11 nuclear research facilities, including the VVR-K research reactor. In 2016, a Cyclone-30 cyclotron—designed specifically for radioisotope production—was added to the Radiopharmaceutical Production Unit. Today, the institute produces 85% of all radiopharmaceuticals used in Kazakhstan’s medical system.
Monish Arora emphasizes that advancing nuclear medicine across Central Asia is essential for addressing the region’s increasing cancer burden.
“Despite significant progress in countries like Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan, the region still faces several challenges: uneven development of the nuclear industry, limited access to advanced diagnostics and treatments, and reliance on international aid,” Arora explains.
“Investing in cutting-edge equipment and technology, establishing regional nuclear medicine centers, and strengthening international cooperation to share expertise will help reduce disparities and improve access to advanced medical care. All of this will lay the groundwork for sustainable industry growth, renewed scientific potential, and deeper partnerships between Russia and Central Asian nations in nuclear medicine.”
Photo by: V/O “Isotope”, SHR, MIG Qazaqstan
